China's National People's Congress Closes Today... Hong Kong Election Law Likely to Be Enforced

Premier Li Keqiang Likely to Explain Legitimacy of Hong Kong Election System Reform After Closing
14th Five-Year Plan and Draft of 2035 Long-Term Development Strategy Also Approved

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] China's largest political event, the Two Sessions (National People's Congress and Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference), will conclude on the 11th with the vote on the Hong Kong election law amendment and the approval of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021?2025). Although the Western camp, including the United States, opposes the amendment to the Hong Kong election law, the Chinese leadership plans to push forward with the vote.

The National People's Congress (NPC) of China will hold the 4th plenary session of the 13th NPC at 3 p.m. local time at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, vote on the draft "Resolution on Improving the Hong Kong Electoral System," and then conclude the session.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The NPC special committee reviewed the Hong Kong election law amendment on the 5th. While some original amendments may be possible, it is expected that the Hong Kong election law will be revised as initially intended. The amendment includes establishing a high-level committee to review the qualifications of election candidates, excluding the district council seats (117 seats) from the election committee that elects the Hong Kong Chief Executive, and expanding the scope of functional constituency representatives in the Legislative Council. Last year, the NPC passed the draft Hong Kong National Security Law with an overwhelming majority of 2,878 votes in favor and only 1 against.

Premier Li Keqiang is expected to emphasize the legitimacy of the Hong Kong electoral system reform and the commitment to maintaining "One Country, Two Systems" during a press conference after the NPC concludes.

However, since the NPC Standing Committee's review remains, it is expected to take at least six months for the amended Hong Kong election law to come into effect. Typically, a law passed by the NPC undergoes at least three reviews by the NPC Standing Committee before enforcement. The NPC Standing Committee convenes once every two months. Hong Kong was scheduled to hold Legislative Council elections on September 6 last year but postponed them for one year due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19.

Regarding the Hong Kong election law amendment, Chinese media Pengpai reported that a local survey showed 80% of respondents answered that "patriots should govern Hong Kong," and 70% supported the central government's amendment to the Hong Kong election law.

Meanwhile, the NPC will also approve the 14th Five-Year Plan and the draft long-term development strategy for 2035 on the same day. Premier Li presented a blueprint for China's future economy, including a target economic growth rate of over 6% this year, during the NPC work report on the 5th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.