The tenth meeting of the 12th National People's Congress Standing Committee has put forward a series of new decisions, including the general election of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and modifications to the measures for forming the legislative council in 2016. This represents a new driving force and a boost to the democratic development of Hong Kong, and it also blazes a trail in political reform and the democratic process.

The measures for forming the legislative council play an important role in Hong Kong’s political system. On the one hand, they are related to the economic interests of the people at all levels, sustaining Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity and lasting peace and stability. On the other hand, they concern the relationship between Central and SAR Government, safeguarding China's sovereignty, security and development interests.

Ever since Hong Kong's return to China, a considerable number of people in Hong Kong have a limited understanding of the concept of "one country, two systems". In accordance with the constitution and the basic law of Hong Kong, the central government exercises sovereignty over constitutional development and decision-making in Hong Kong.

There have been outbreaks of extreme and violent behavior on the issue of ‘double universal suffrage’. This behavior seriously deviates from the basic law of Hong Kong and the decision of NPC Standing Committee.

Two basic points are stressed in NPC Standing Committee: firstly pressing forward with ‘double universal suffrage’ and the democratic process under the basic law and the related decisions of the NPC Standing Committee. Secondly, making sure every Chief Executive elected by universal suffrage is a patriot who supports the central government.

The new decisions of the NPC Standing Committee are clear in form and in substance. The decisions taken bring us ever closer to the great vision of ‘one-person one-vote' elections. The Hong Kong SAR government and its ciitizens should take this precious opportunity to work together, laying a solid foundation for the ‘one-person one-vote’ Chief Executive election in 2017.

The article is edited and translated from 《人大新决定为香港民主“开闸”》, source: People's Daily, author: Qi Pengfei