With widespread attention at home and abroad, the draft decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) was adopted at the National People's Congress (NPC)'s annual session on Thursday.

It's not the first time that the NPC, China's top legislature, made a decision regarding the region's political system and political structure, including its electoral system, to ensure the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Here are some facts to help you understand the legitimacy and the purpose of the move.

Since Hong Kong's return to China, the central authorities have been fostering the region's democratic system and have strived to ensure that Hong Kong residents can fully exercise their democratic rights.

The decision on improving the electoral system of HKSAR is another major step taken by the state to improve the HKSAR's legal and political systems since the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR was adopted in June 2020.

According to the Constitution and the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the central authorities have the constitutional power to decide on the establishment of the HKSAR and its systems.

The Basic Law stipulates that the Hong Kong SAR is a local administrative region under the central government. Its high degree of autonomy stems from the authorization of the central government. 

Under this principle, the chief executive and major officials of the Hong Kong SAR should be appointed by the central government. Any revision on the method for electing the chief executive and legislative council must be approved by the central government.

In this regard, improving the electoral system of the HKSAR from the constitutional level falls within the power and responsibility of the NPC, and the NPC's authority cannot be challenged.

Meanwhile, it is also a common practice across the world for central governments to play a leading role in revising their electoral laws. 

For example, the U.S. House of Representatives has passed an election reform bill, which requires U.S. states to set up independent redistricting commissions, among other mandates. In France, it is up to the National Assembly to stipulate the rules for local parliamentary elections.

As for adhering to the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" in improving the electoral system, it is a necessary requirement of the "One Country, Two Systems" policy.

The principle of "One Country, Two Systems" was originally put forward for the peaceful solution to the Taiwan question. However, it was implemented first in Hong Kong.

Back in June 1984, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that there must be "some requirements or qualifications with regard to the administration of Hong Kong affairs by the people of Hong Kong. It must be required that patriots form the main body of administrators". 

Since Hong Kong's return in 1997, the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" has achieved a resounding success. But, in the meantime, in recent years, especially after the turbulence over the amendment bill in 2019, anti-China, destabilizing forces and radical localists in Hong Kong have used the electoral platforms to jeopardize the constitutional order and the order of the rule of law in the Hong Kong SAR.

Only when the principle of "patriots administering Hong Kong" is observed can the central authorities' overall jurisdiction over the SAR be effectively implemented, said Wang Chen, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.

Thus, the constitutional order as established by the Constitution and the Basic Law can be effectively maintained, and the various deep-seated problems can be effectively resolved, he added.

(With input from Xinhua)