Decisions of the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee
Annex I to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Amended by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on 30 March 2021
Annex II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures
Amended by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on 30 March 2021
Decision of the National People's Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Adopted on 11 March 2021
Five important principles of improving the electoral system
- Upholding and implementing the principles of "One Country, Two Systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy;
- Firmly safeguarding the constitutional order of the HKSAR as enshrined under the Constitution and the Basic Law;
- Ensuring "patriots administering Hong Kong";
- Effectively enhancing the governance capability of the HKSAR;
- Upholding HKSAR permanent residents' right to vote and the right to stand for election in accordance with law.
Overall approach
Core of the overall design of the system：Reformation and greater empowerment of the Election Committee
- Adjusting and improving the size, composition, and formation method of the Election Committee
- The Chief Executive will continue to be elected by the Election Committee
- New functions of the Election Committee：
Entrusting the Election Committee to elect a relatively larger proportion of Legislative Council members
Directly participating in the nomination of all candidates for the Legislative Council election
- Expanding the balanced and orderly political participation, and ensuring broader representation in the Hong Kong society
- Adjusting relevant elements of the election in an appropriate manner
- Establishing a mechanism of qualification review throughout the entire election process
The way forward: Two-step approach of “Decision plus Amendment”
First step
The NPC made the decision on improving the electoral system of the HKSAR, which lays out the basic principles for revising and improving the electoral system of the HKSAR as well as the core elements of such revision and improvement. The NPC authorised its Standing Committee to amend Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law.
Second step
- The Standing Committee of the NPC will amend Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law which contain specific and express provisions on the new democratic electoral system of the HKSAR.
- After the amendment of Annex I and Annex II at the country level is completed, the HKSAR Government will make corresponding amendments to the relevant local legislations.