The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, will formally back Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy and governing principles enshrined in its charter, the South China Morning Post reported.
The move could reinforce the legitimacy of the local government amid concerns on Beijing's encroachment on the city's freedoms, the report noted.
Zhang Qingli, vice chairman of the CPPCC, proposed several amendments to its charter, including a pledge to uphold the "one country, two systems" and "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" principles. The advisory body will also attempt to improve ties with Hong Kong and Macau to "encourage them to contribute to the region's prosperity and stability, as well as to the motherland's developments and reunification." The amendment reflects Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks in the 19th Communist Party congress in which he assured the Hong Kong people that one country, two systems was in the party's governance ideology and canon.
The amendments come after outgoing CPPCC Chairman Yu Zhengsheng mentioned one country, two systems but omitted the phrases "Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong" and "high degree of autonomy" when he delivered his five-year work report on March 3. Vice Premier Li Keqiang also left out the two phrases during his annual address on March 5, triggering speculations that Beijing was less enthusiastic in preserving Hong Kong's semi-autonomous status, the SCMP noted.
The CPPCC is expected to approve the changes on March 15.
Irons Sze Wing-wai, one of Hong Kong's representative to the conference, told the South China Morning Post that the amendment should reaffirm Beijing's commitment to allowing self-government and autonomy and for the city. "It will also make the central government's stance on one country, two systems clearer," he said.
