HKSAR LegCo to keep performing duties: China's top lawmakers

By Zhang Yangfei | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2020-08-11 18:59

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The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China’s top legislature, on Tuesday adopted the decision for the sixth Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR to continue performing duties for no less than a year until the seventh LegCo starts its four-year term. [Photo/China Daily]

China's top legislature on Tuesday adopted a decision to continue the operation of Hong Kong's sixth Legislative Council for no less than one year.

The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress endorsed the decision at the close of its four-day meeting in Beijing. The decision stated that after the term of the sixth Legislative Council expires on Sept 30, it will continue to perform its duties for no less than one year until the term of the seventh LegCo begins.

The election for the seventh LegCo was originally scheduled on Sept 6 and was postponed by one year due to the developing COVID-19 pandemic in the city.

The term of the seventh LegCo will still be four years after its election, according to the decision.

Those at the 21st meeting of the 13th NPC Standing Committee heard the explanation of a bill submitted by the State Council on Saturday morning asking the NPC Standing Committee to make a decision for the sixth LegCo to continue operation.

On Saturday afternoon, the members of the NPC Standing Committee conducted group deliberations on the draft decision. They agreed that the LegCo, as the legislature of Hong Kong, is an important part of Hong Kong's political system and exercises important powers in enacting, amending and abolishing laws, reviewing and passing fiscal budgets and approving taxation and public expenditures.

Hong Kong's chief executive and the Executive Council deciding to postpone the seventh LegCo election for one year was due to the severe situation of the local COVID-19 outbreak, they said.

The NPC Standing Committee's decision on the continued performance of the sixth LegCo was to maintain constitutional order and the rule of law in Hong Kong and to ensure the normal administration of Hong Kong government, as well as the normal operation of society, they said. Committee added that it is in line with the provisions of the Constitution and Hong Kong Basic Law – Hong Kong's mini constitution – and is "necessary and appropriate".