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SCMP Reporters

Hong Kong’s judicial independence will not be affected, particularly on the matter of mainland mothers, a spokeswoman for the National People's Congress told the media on Monday.
A press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing offered a preview of the annual session of China's highest legislative body.
Spokeswoman Fu Ying answered reporters' questions:
On 'one country, two systems'
In response to a Hong Kong reporter’s questions about Beijing’s powers over Hong Kong, Fu said:
“The central government implements the ‘one country, two systems’ policy towards Hong Kong. It is a highly stable policy, and has been consistently executed. There is ‘tightening’ of the policy to speak of. 
"The reality since Hong Kong’s return has shown that the central government’s ‘one country, two systems’ policy has been a success, and should not waver. We must strictly observe the Basic Law in dealing with Hong Kong affairs.”
On the mainland mothers issue
In reference to Hong Kong-born children of mainland parents, Fu said:
“We have indeed noticed that Hong Kong society pays a lot of attention to the issue, and they hope there can be a proper solution to it. There have been many proposals about thie issue, and asking for the National People’s Congress interpretation is one possible path of solution.
"We should say that Hong Kong’s judicial independence will not be affected, because Article 158 of the Basic Law states that Hong Kong’s Court of Final Appeal has the right to ask the NPC for an interpretation of the Basic Law.”
On defence spending 
Fu defended China's defence budget, saying its vast investments in the armed forces have contributed to global peace and stability.
However, in a break with previous years, no figure for this year’s defense budget was presented at the news conference.  Fu said the figure would appear in the overall budget to be released on Tuesday. 
Chinese defense spending has grown substantially each year for more than two decades, and last year rose 11.2 percent to 670.2 billion yuan ($106.4 billion), an increase of about 67 billion yuan. Only the United States spends more on defense.

Check below as China-watchers and journalists chime in via Twitter, which is blocked on the mainland. On Sina Weibo, the Chinese version of the microblogging site, state media coverage of the annual meeting appeared more prominent.

 
The NPC was meeting to elect the presidium and set the agenda for the legislative session set to begin the next day.
Full text of the press conference, in Chinese
The Associated Press contributed to this report


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National People's Congress (NPC)

China vows to uphold judicial independence of Hong Kong

A press conference kicks off the annual legislative meeting in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

A journalist asks a question during the press conference in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

NPC delegates leave the Great Hall of the People in Beijing after a preparatory meeting. Photo: Simon Song

Chinese flags are reflected on a window of a bus in Beijing. Photo: Simon Song

China declines to reveal defence spending

Soldiers march outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AP

National People's Congress spokeswoman Fu Ying holds a press conference on Monday. Photo: Xinhua

News

China

Hong Kong’s judicial independence will not be affected, particularly on the matter of mainland mothers, a spokeswoman for the National People's Congress said at a press conference on Monday.


Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)