Amendments to HK Basic Law 'soon', spokesman says

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, will initiate procedures for amending Annexes I and II of the Hong Kong Basic Law as soon as possible, a spokesman said on Thursday.

The amendments are required under the newly adopted decision to improve Hong Kong's electoral system, Zang Tiewei, a spokesman for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee said in a statement.

The NPC passed the decision during its fourth session that closed on Thursday.

Zang said as its next step, the commission will study and take on board the views and suggestions of various parties and try and provide a solid and reliable safeguard for the rule of law in Hong Kong to ensure steady implementation of "one country, two systems".

He said the decision is a major measure to enforce the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong" from an institutional perspective, and ensure that governance is firmly in the hands of patriotic forces.

The decision has taken into account Hong Kong's realities and practical needs and made new constitutional and institutional arrangements for the city's electoral system.

The arrangements will safeguard sovereignty, security and development interests of the State, maintain the constitutional order of Hong Kong and enhance the effectiveness of local governance.

All State organs, localities and parties, including the HKSAR, must implement the decision to ensure the central government's overall jurisdiction over the special administrative region is effectively implemented, he said.