Reform In Line With Basic Law: Tam Yiu-chung

Hong Kong’s sole deputy to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee has defended Beijing-led electoral reform for the SAR, saying it's completely in line with the Basic Law and the Chinese constitution.

Tam Yiu-chung, who's in the capital attending the annual NPC session, told Hong Kong media via a video link that the SAR's political structure and election system fall under the authority of the central government.

The pro-establishment heavyweight said the proposed changes are in line with the Basic Law because they were made in accordance with the “actual situation” of Hong Kong.

Tam expressed hope the changes will be in place in time for the Legco election, now set for September 5 after it was postponed for a year.

“Even if the legal amendments cannot be completed by the date in September, I think it doesn’t matter if it is postponed for a short period. But this is just my speculation. We will all do our best to hope to complete the legal amendment work,” he said.

The proposed changes include allowing the election committee that chooses Hong Kong's chief executive to elect “a relatively large share” of lawmakers and nominate all Legco hopefuls. Other reports said the number of Legco seats will increase from 70 to 90 and the number of election committee members will be raised from 1,200 to 1,500.

The NPC is set to discuss the proposals during its plenary session in Beijing.