Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying yesterday told President Xi Jinping that he will implement the five steps to amend Hong Kong's electoral methods to achieve universal suffrage in 2017.
Leung also revealed he had met the new State Councillor and Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun on Sunday.
He did not say whether they discussed imposing restrictions on the multiple-entry permit scheme, or the recent attacks on Hong Kong journalists in Beijing.
"We talked about a wide range of issues and our working relationship involves many issues, such as public order in [Hong Kong and the mainland], and anti-terrorism," Leung said.
Leung's meeting with Xi was held in Zhongnanhai, Beijing, yesterday morning, during the brief opening session, which the press were allowed to cover. The Hong Kong leader pledged that "we will gradually implement the five [constitutional] steps towards universal suffrage in 2017".
Suggestions from Beijing-friendly politicians such as Rita Fan Hsu Lai-tai, a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, sparked heated debate in Hong Kong about whether a "primary" is needed to select candidates for the next chief executive race.