The National People's Congress Standing Committee begins deliberations today on a draft interpretation of key electoral provisions in the Basic Law.
Beijing said yesterday the interpretation was aimed at ensuring the Basic Law would be 'correctly understood and implemented'.
The interpretation covers two articles in Annex I and Annex II on possible changes to the selection methods for the chief executive and legislature in and after 2007.
'Currently, different understandings exist in Hong Kong on Clause 7 of Annex I and Clause 3 of Annex II of the Basic Law,' Li Fei, deputy director of the committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, said during the Standing Committee meeting, which began in Beijing yesterday.
Mr Li said the fundamental purpose of the political structure set out under the mini-constitution was to 'protect Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability'.
He said the interpretation was necessary 'to ensure the Basic Law is correctly understood and implemented'.
Tsang Tak-sing, a Hong Kong deputy to the NPC invited to sit in on the meeting, said the draft interpretation affirmed the responsibility shouldered by the central government in the development of Hong Kong's political system.