Premier Li vows to guard against interference in HK, Macao affairs

The central government will "resolutely guard against and deter external forces' interference in the affairs of Hong Kong and Macao", Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said in his government work report Friday morning.

"We will stay true to the letter and spirit of the principle of 'one country, two systems', under which the people of Hong Kong administer Hong Kong and the people of Macao administer Macao, both with a high degree of autonomy," Li told a roomful of national lawmakers at the opening meeting of the fourth session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing.

Moving forward, Li said, the central government will improve relevant systems and mechanisms of the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions for enforcing the Constitution and the basic laws.

The national lawmakers are poised to deliberate a draft decision on improving Hong Kong's the electoral system of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after it was placed on its agenda on Thursday. The improvement is expected to be carried out surrounding the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong".

At the news conference on Thursday, Zhang Yesui, spokesman for the fourth session of the 13th NPC, said Hong Kong's situation in recent years has shown that the region's electoral system needs to keep pace with the times and undergo improvements to provide sound institutional safeguards for the full and accurate implementation of "one country, two systems" and the principle of "patriots governing Hong Kong".

It will also strive to ensure the implementation of the laws and enforcement mechanisms for the two regions to safeguard national security, Li said.

The central government will support both regions to develop their economies and improve people's lives in pursuing long-term stability and prosperity, he added.