China's top legislature to discuss HK election methods

Zhang Dejiang (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the 27th meeting of the chairman and vice chairpersons of the 12th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug 18, 2014. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

China's top legislature will discuss whether to revise election methods for Hong Kong's chief executive and legislature at its upcoming bi-monthly session.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) will meet from Aug. 25 to 31 in Beijing, said a statement issued after the meeting of chairman and vice chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee on Monday.

At the session, lawmakers will deliberate a report from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying on whether to revise election methods for Hong Kong SAR's chief executive in 2017 and its Legislative Council in 2016.

Leung submitted the report to the NPC Standing Committee in July. The report is based on the results of a public consultation by the Hong Kong SAR government from Dec 4 last year to May 3.

The current chief executive was elected by an election committee in 2012. Hong Kong plans to introduce universal suffrage in the election in 2017.

Lawmakers will also review draft amendments to several laws including the Budget Law, the Law on Workplace Safety, the Administrative Procedure Law, the Legislation Law, the Advertisement Law and the Insurance Law.

They will decide whether to set up special tribunals on intellectual property rights in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

At the session, the State Council will report on the implementation of the budget and the national economic and social development plan as well as the development of administrative reform.

An inspection panel of the NPC Standing Committee will report on the implementation of the law on protection of minors.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over Monday's meeting.