二、完善香港特别行政区选举制度的总体要求、重要原则、基本思路和推进方式
II. Overall requirements, important principles, basic approach, and the way to proceed for improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR

完善香港特别行政区选举制度的总体要求是，坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导，全面贯彻党的十九大和十九届二中、三中、四中、五中全会精神，坚持和完善“一国两制”制度体系，从制度机制上全面贯彻、体现和落实“爱国者治港”的原则，确保管治权牢牢掌握在爱国爱港力量手中，确保香港长治久安和长期繁荣稳定。
The overall requirements for improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR are: following the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era; fully implementing the guiding principles of the CPC’s 19th National Congress and the second, third, fourth and fifth plenary sessions of its 19th Central Committee; upholding and improving the system and institutions of One Country, Two Systems; fully implementing, reflecting and carrying out the principle of “patriots administering Hong Kong” with proper mechanisms and institutions; keeping the power to administer firmly in the hands of those who love the country and love Hong Kong; and ensuring Hong Kong’s long-term stability and prosperity.

贯彻上述总体要求，必须遵循和把握好以下重要原则。一是全面准确贯彻“一国两制”、“港人治港”、高度自治的方针。坚持和完善“一国两制”制度体系，坚持以爱国者为主体的“港人治港”，把坚持“一国”原则和尊重“两制”差异、维护中央对特别行政区全面管治权和保障特别行政区高度自治权结合起来，为“爱国者治港”提供健全的制度保障。二是坚定维护国家主权、安全、发展利益。确保国家牢牢掌握完善香港特别行政区选举制度主导权，全面落实香港国安法，维护香港特别行政区社会大局稳定，坚决防范、制止和惩治外国和境外势力干预香港事务和利用香港进行分裂、颠覆、渗透、破坏活动。三是坚持依法治港。维护宪法和香港基本法确定的香港特别行政区宪制秩序，在宪法和香港基本法轨道上完善有关选举制度和相关机制，严格依照香港基本法、香港国安法、全国人大及其常委会有关决定和香港本地法律组织有关选举活动，提高依法治理能力和水平。四是符合香港实际情况。发展符合香港实际情况、体现社会整体利益的民主选举制度，依法保障香港同胞广泛的、均衡的政治参与，依法保障香港永久性居民依法享有的选举权和被选举权，团结一切可以团结的力量，广泛凝聚香港社会正能量。五是提高香港特别行政区治理效能。健全行政长官对中央人民政府负责的制度，维护行政主导的香港特别行政区治理架构和运行机制，支持行政长官和行政机关、立法机关、司法机关依法行使职权、履行职责，确保香港特别行政区政治体制和治理体制机制顺畅、有效运行。
In implementing these overall requirements, it is imperative to observe the following important principles. First, fully and accurately implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong with a high degree of autonomy. It is imperative to uphold and improve the system and institutions of One Country, Two Systems, and ensure the administration of Hong Kong by Hong Kong people with patriots as the main body. It is imperative to integrate adherence to the principle of One Country with respect for the differences of Two Systems, and combine upholding the Central Authorities’ overall jurisdiction over the SAR with safeguarding a high degree of autonomy in the SAR, so as to provide well-established systemic guarantee for “patriots administering Hong Kong”. Second, firmly upholding sovereignty, security and development interests of the State. It is imperative to ensure that the State takes firm control over the improvement of the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, fully implement the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, maintain overall social stability of the Hong Kong SAR, and resolutely prevent, stop and punish interference in Hong Kong affairs by foreign countries and external forces and their use of Hong Kong to conduct acts of secession, subversion, infiltration and sabotage. Third, administering Hong Kong in accordance with the law. It is imperative to maintain the constitutional order of the Hong Kong SAR enshrined in the Constitution and the Basic Law, improve the relevant electoral system and related mechanisms on the track of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and organize relevant elections in strict compliance with the Basic Law, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, relevant decisions of the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee as well as local laws of Hong Kong, so as to improve the ability and competence of governance in accordance with the law. Fourth, acting in line with the actual circumstances of Hong Kong. It is imperative to develop a system of democratic elections that fits Hong Kong’s actual conditions and reflects the overall interests of the society. It is imperative to guarantee in accordance with the law the extensive and balanced political participation of the Hong Kong compatriots, and guarantee in accordance with the law the right to vote and the right to be elected which are lawfully enjoyed by Hong Kong’s permanent residents. It is imperative to unite all that can be united, and build extensive, positive energy in the Hong Kong society. Fifth, improving the governance efficacy of the Hong Kong SAR. It is imperative to improve the system under which the Chief Executive is responsible to the Central People’s Government, and maintain the executive-led governance structure and operational system of the Hong Kong SAR. It is imperative to support the Chief Executive, the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary in exercising power and performing duty in accordance with the law, so as to ensure the smooth and efficient operation of the political and governance systems and mechanisms of the Hong Kong SAR.

完善香港特别行政区选举制度的总体思路是：以对香港特别行政区选举委员会重新构建和增加赋权为核心进行总体制度设计，调整和优化选举委员会的规模、组成和产生办法，继续由选举委员会选举产生行政长官，并赋予选举委员会选举产生较大比例的立法会议员和直接参与提名全部立法会议员候选人的新职能，通过选举委员会扩大香港社会均衡有序的政治参与和更加广泛的代表性，对有关选举要素作出适当调整，同时建立全流程资格审查机制，进而形成一套符合香港实际情况、有香港特色的新的民主选举制度。
The overarching approach for improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR is as follows: The overall design of the system will be centered around the reformation and greater empowerment of the Election Committee of the Hong Kong SAR. The size, composition and formation method of the Election Committee will be adjusted and improved. The Chief Executive will continue to be elected by the Election Committee. The Election Committee will be entrusted with the new function of electing a relatively large share of Legislative Council members and directly participating in the nomination of all candidates for the Legislative Council. Through the Election Committee, the balanced and orderly political participation will be expanded and broader representation ensured in the Hong Kong society. Relevant elements of the election will be adjusted as appropriate, and a mechanism of qualification review will be established throughout the entire process. This design is aimed to form a new democratic electoral system suited to Hong Kong’s realities and with Hong Kong characteristics.

香港特别行政区目前实行的选举制度，是根据香港基本法有关规定、全国人大常委会有关解释和决定以及香港本地有关法律规定确定的。香港基本法第45条、第68条等作出了原则性规定，香港基本法附件一和附件二以及有关修正案作出了具体明确的规定。中央和国家有关部门在综合分析和全面评估的基础上，认为有必要从国家层面修改完善香港特别行政区有关选举制度，主要是修改香港特别行政区行政长官的产生办法和立法会的产生办法；同时，考虑到保持香港特别行政区相关制度的连续性和稳定性，本次完善香港特别行政区有关选举制度，可以只修改香港基本法附件一和附件二，不涉及修改香港基本法正文。中央和国家有关部门经认真研究并与有关方面沟通后，提出采取“决定+修法”的方式，分步予以推进和完成。第一步，全国人民代表大会根据宪法和香港基本法、香港国安法的有关规定，作出关于完善香港特别行政区选举制度的决定，明确修改完善香港特别行政区选举制度应当遵循的基本原则和修改完善的核心要素内容，并授权全国人民代表大会常务委员会根据本决定修改香港基本法附件一和附件二。第二步，全国人大常委会根据宪法、香港基本法、香港国安法和全国人大有关决定，修订香港基本法附件一《香港特别行政区行政长官的产生办法》和附件二《香港特别行政区立法会的产生办法和表决程序》，修订后的附件一和附件二将对香港特别行政区实行的新的民主选举制度作出具体明确的规定。在国家层面完成对附件一和附件二的修订后，香港特别行政区将据此对本地有关法律作出相应修改。
The existing electoral system in the Hong Kong SAR was established in accordance with relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, interpretations and decisions of the NPC Standing Committee, and relevant provisions of local laws in Hong Kong. Provisions of the Basic Law, including Articles 45 and 68, lay out the principles concerning the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, and Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law as well as relevant amendments make specific and express stipulations. Based on comprehensive analysis and assessment, central and state authorities deem it necessary to revise and improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR at the State level, and mainly to revise the method for the selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR and the method for the formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SAR. At the same time, in order to maintain continuity and stability of relevant systems of the Hong Kong SAR, the revisions to be made this time in improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR may be limited to Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law, without revising the main body of the Basic Law. After serious consideration of various factors and discussions with relevant parties, central and state authorities propose a two-step approach, namely, “decision plus amendment”. In the first step, the NPC, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Basic Law, and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, makes the decision on improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, which lays out the basic principles for revising and improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR as well as the core elements of such revision and improvement. Meanwhile, the NPC authorizes its Standing Committee to amend Annex I and Annex II to the Basic Law in accordance with the decision. In the second step, in accordance with the Constitution, the Basic Law, the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR, and the NPC decision, the NPC Standing Committee amends Annex I: Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Annex II: Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. The amended Annex I and Annex II will contain specific and express provisions on the new democratic electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR. After the amendment of Annex I and Annex II at the State level is completed, the Hong Kong SAR will amend relevant local laws accordingly.

2021年2月27日至28日，第十三届全国人民代表大会常务委员会第二十六次会议听取和审议了《国务院关于修改完善香港特别行政区选举制度和有关建议的报告》。会议同意国务院这个报告提出的关于修改完善香港特别行政区选举制度的建议。在此基础上，根据宪法、香港基本法、香港国安法的有关规定和全国人大及其常委会的有关决定，结合香港特别行政区具体情况，全国人大常委会法制工作委员会拟订了《全国人民代表大会关于完善香港特别行政区选举制度的决定（草案）》，经全国人大常委会审议后决定提请十三届全国人大四次会议审议。
At its 26th session on 27-28 February 2021, the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC heard and deliberated on the Report of the State Council on Revising and Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Relevant Recommendations. It endorsed the Report’s recommendations on revising and improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR. On this basis, in accordance with relevant provisions of the Constitution, the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR as well as relevant decisions of the NPC and its Standing Committee, and in light of the actual conditions in the Hong Kong SAR, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee drew up the Draft Decision of the National People’s Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which, after deliberation by the NPC Standing Committee, has been submitted to the Fourth Session of the 13th NPC for deliberation.

三、关于决定草案的内容
III. Overview of the draft decision

《全国人民代表大会关于完善香港特别行政区选举制度的决定（草案）》分为导语和正文两部分。导语部分扼要说明作出这一决定的目的和法律依据。全国人民代表大会拟作出的相关决定，是根据《中华人民共和国宪法》第三十一条和第六十二条第二项、第十四项、第十六项的规定，以及《中华人民共和国香港特别行政区基本法》、《中华人民共和国香港特别行政区维护国家安全法》的有关规定，充分考虑了完善香港特别行政区有关选举制度的现实需要和香港特别行政区的具体情况，就完善香港特别行政区选举制度，推动适合香港实际的民主政治制度发展，作出新的宪制性制度安排。这一制度安排，符合宪法规定和宪法原则，符合香港基本法，具有坚实的政治基础和法治基础，将确保实现以爱国者为主体的“港人治港”，有力保障香港“一国两制”实践行稳致远。
The Draft Decision of the National People’s Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region consists of an introduction and the main body. The introduction briefly explains the purposes and legal basis of the decision. The relevant decision to be taken by the NPC is based on Article 31 and sub-paragraphs 2, 14 and 16 of Article 62 of the Constitution and relevant provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR and the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR. It takes into full consideration the practical need for improving the relevant electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR and of the reality in the Hong Kong SAR. It will make a new constitutional arrangement for a set of institutions to improve the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR and advance the democratic political system that fits Hong Kong’s actual conditions. Such an institutional arrangement is in line with the stipulations and principles of the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR, and holds solid political and legal ground. It will help ensure that patriots form the main body of administrators in Hong Kong, and guarantee the sound and sustained implementation of One Country, Two Systems in Hong Kong.

决定草案正文部分规定了修改完善香港特别行政区选举制度应当遵循的基本原则和修改完善的核心要素内容，同时授权全国人民代表大会常务委员会根据本决定修改香港基本法附件一和附件二。中央和国家有关部门在研究修改完善香港特别行政区选举制度的过程中，统筹考虑了作出本决定和下一步修订香港基本法附件一和附件二的有关问题，并已作出相应的工作安排。全国人大作出本决定后，全国人大常委会将根据本决定会同有关方面及早启动相关修法程序，修订香港基本法附件一和附件二。修订后的香港基本法附件一和附件二经依法公布施行后，原附件一和附件二以及有关修正案同时废止。
The main body of the draft decision lays out the basic principles for revising and improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR as well as the core elements of such revision and improvement. At the same time, it authorizes the NPC Standing Committee to amend Annex Ι and Annex II to the Basic Law in accordance with this decision. During deliberations on revising and improving the electoral system of the Hong Kong SAR, central and state authorities have thought through issues related to making this decision and then amending Annex Ι and Annex II to the Basic Law, and have made arrangements accordingly. After the adoption of this decision by the NPC, the NPC Standing Committee will work, pursuant to this decision and in coordination with other competent authorities, to promptly launch the procedure of amending Annex Ι and Annex II to the Basic Law. Upon the promulgation and entry into force of the amended Annex Ι and Annex II to the Basic Law, the previous Annex Ι, Annex II and their amendments will be repealed simultaneously.

《全国人民代表大会关于完善香港特别行政区选举制度的决定（草案）》和以上说明，请审议。
The Draft Decision of the National People’s Congress on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the above Explanations are now submitted for deliberation.