The purpose of amending the Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is to optimize the makeup of the election committee, and better represent the general interests of the city, Deng Zhonghua, deputy director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, said in an interview with the media.

A decision adopted earlier this month by the National People's Congress (NPC) on improving Hong Kong's electoral system specified the details of what will be amended. One of the amendments states that the election committee will be composed of 1,500 members instead of the original 1,200.

The additional 300 members will be composed of Hong Kong deputies to the NPC, Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and representatives of Hong Kong members of related national organizations.

The addition will "strengthen the representation of national interests," Deng said, and the aim is to help the election body "look at things from the perspectives of both the country and Hong Kong SAR when carrying out its duties."

The election committee will be defined by two more functions, Deng said. The body will be responsible for electing a higher percentage of Legislative Council (LegCo) members and play a part in nominating all candidates to the LegCo, he said, adding that "this design is to make sure that the LegCo can better represent the interest of the whole Hong Kong society."

The Standing Committee of the 13th NPC voted unanimously on Tuesday to adopt the amended Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law. Under the amended Annex II, the LegCo shall be composed of 90 members in each term, of which 40 will be elected by the election committee, 30 by functional constituencies, and 20 by geographical constituencies.