The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, will decide on how to deal with legal issues caused by postponing the 2020 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). 

Chief Executive of the HKSAR Carrie Lam on July 28 submitted a report to the Central People's Government, proposing the delay of the seventh-term LegCo election, originally scheduled for September 6, 2020, by a year due to a surge in coronavirus cases in the city. 

The State Council, China's cabinet, replied on July 29 that it supports the HKSAR Chief Executive in Council in making the decision to postpone the election. 

Considering Lam's proposal lawful, reasonable and consistent with the public interest, the State Council has submitted a proposal to the 13th NPC Standing Committee to extend the current term of members of Hong Kong's LegCo. 

The State Council believes that it is necessary for the NPC Standing Committee to make timely decisions to handle the vacancy of the region's legislative body arising from the postponement of the election to ensure the normal functioning of the HKSAR government and society and maintain the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.

The top legislature is convening its 21st session from Saturday to Tuesday in Beijing. 

(Cover: Aerial view shows the scenery in Hong Kong, south China. /Xinhua)