CPPCC praises ‘positive’ decision to interpret Hong Kong’s Basic Law
Chairman of top political advisory body lists as an achievement the ruling that led to pro-independence lawmakers being disqualified
For the first time, China’s top political advisory body has listed supporting the National People’s Congress interpretation of Hong Kong’s Basic Law as a major achievement in its annual work report, as it underlined how delegates had spoken “positively” for it.
The unprecedented reference came as Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, on Friday delivered his report to start the nation’s two-week annual parliamentary sessions.
In listing the major achievements of the past year, Yu singled out the CPPCC’s support for the NPC to intepret Article 104 of Hong Kong’s mini-constitution to disqualify two newly elected lawmakers who distorted their oath-taking with pro-independence slogans and insults against the nation.
The NPC had already – and each time, controversially – interpreted the city’s Basic Law four times before the latest intervention. However, the CPPCC had never mentioned these interpretations in its previous work reports.
Turning to national affairs in his address, Yu, the fourth-ranking official in the Communist Party’s Standing Committee, also hailed as a major achievement the enhancement of members’ “political consciousness” in abiding with the party leadership headed by President Xi Jinping at the core.