The National People's Congress Standing Committee, which is convened every two months, exercises most legislative functions because the full NPC meets only once a year.
The committee is expected to be asked to re-interpret the right of abode provisions in the Basic Law.
According to the Chinese constitution, the committee enacts and amends laws, with the exception of those enacted by the full NPC.
It has the power to partially supplement and amend laws enacted by the NPC and to interpret laws, including the Basic Law, which is a piece of national legislation.
The present five-year NPC session, the ninth since 1954, started last year with the election of former premier Li Peng as Standing Committee chairman.
It comprises retired top officials and prominent figures from all sectors and major ethnic groups. It has about 150 members, including two from Hong Kong.
