More than 200 representatives from Hong Kong are in Beijing for the annual “two sessions”, or lianghui.
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The country’s top political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), convened on Tuesday, while the National People’s Congress (NPC), the country’s legislature, will commence its session a day later.
The Post looks at who is representing Hong Kong at the high-level meetings, what the two sessions mean for the city and what the key highlights of the gatherings are expected to be this year.
1) Why do Hong Kong people attend?
According to Article 21 of the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution, Chinese citizens who are Hong Kong residents are entitled to take part in the management of state affairs.
The clause stipulates that Hong Kong deputies to the NPC are locally elected, in accordance with the assigned number of seats and the selection method specified by the national legislature.
2) What are the differences between the two bodies?
The NPC is the national legislature and the highest organ of state power. It is tasked with enacting and amending laws, changing the constitution and overseeing its enforcement, as well as electing and appointing members to central state organs. Its nearly 3,000 members also direct policy on key national issues.
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