Top Beijing official Li Fei to lead newly renamed Constitution and Law Committee

Li’s promotion is approved by 2,937 votes in favour and just 15 against

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Li Fei is a senior official who has specialised in Hong Kong’s mini-constitution. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 9:24pm, 12 Mar 2018Updated: 2:31pm, 14 Mar 2018

The mainland official who leads the expert group that advises China’s top legislative body on Hong Kong’s mini-constitution was on Tuesday promoted to chair a newly renamed central committee which oversees national legal and constitutional issues.

Li Fei, chairman of the Hong Kong Basic Law Committee under the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, was promoted to succeed Qiao Xiaoyang as the chief of the Law and Constitution Committee during the NPC’s plenary meeting on Tuesday morning. Some 2,937 votes were cast in favour of the move and just 15 against.

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The new group, which falls under the purview of the NPC, the country’s national legislature, was originally called the Law Committee. It has been renamed as the Constitution and Law Committee in what was seen as a move to highlight the importance of recent constitutional amendments. Li is currently the vice-chairman of the Law Committee.

Qiao Xiaoyang stepped down as chairman of the Law Committee. Photo: SCMP Pictures

The constitution was amended with almost unanimous support by the NPC on Sunday, clearing the way for Xi Jinping to remain president beyond the end of his original two terms in 2023.

The rebranding of the Law Committee was one of the amendments also passed.

“As chairman of the Basic Law Committee, Li has done a very good job,” Qiao said, adding that he believed Li would prove capable in the new post with his 30 years of legal experience.

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