The most significant national events this month are the meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in Beijing.

Due to Hong Kong's growing ties with the mainland over a broad range, the CPPCC and NPC meetings are having increasing bearing on the SAR, and the local community is showing more interest in them.

The meetings operate in a mode that embodies the principle of "one country, two systems". NPC and CPPCC are state-level political organs that discuss national policies and mainland issues, but not affairs of the Hong Kong SAR.

When it concerns, however, the jurisdiction of the Central Government, the relationship between Beijing and the SAR, and the development of bilateral cooperation between the two places, CPPCC and NPC are authorized to discuss these issues and make decisions accordingly.

For that very reason, there are Hong Kong people elected to the two organizations. These local representatives are elites of the SAR entrusted with the task of managing the country, an arrangement that serves to highlight "one country". This group of people, as a part of the country's establishment, is not supposed to interfere with the internal affairs of Hong Kong.

Yet, this restriction does not prevent them, as ordinary citizens of the SAR, from expressing their views over Hong Kong issues in their personal capacity. In this sense, these local deputies and members are a special group at the meetings who play a unique role in China's peculiar political regime and perform indispensable functions.

There are many issues discussed at the meetings that draw attention, and the unique arrangement of "one country, two systems" has bestowed upon Hong Kong an unusual perspective.

Which major decisions and moves made by the country as a whole will have significant impact on the SAR? In what way would they affect the city? How could Hong Kong tie in with the mainland's development and find business opportunities? All these are closely related to the SAR and are Hongkongers' focus of attention.

After all, Hong Kong has been reunited with its motherland for 13 years, and the "nation" factor is playing an increasingly pivotal role in ensuring the city's prosperity and stability. Simply for the sake of their own interest, Hong Kong people cannot ignore the country's development and changes and therefore cannot disregard the ongoing meetings in the capital city.

The work reports presented by Premier Wen Jiabao for the Central Government, by Chairman Jia Qinglin for CPPCC, and by Chairman Wu Bangguo for NPC, as well as dialogues between the central leaders and Hong Kong deputies and members, are all "portals" through which Hong Kong people can grasp the spirit of the meetings, with the parts relating to the SAR warranting special attention.

(HK Edition 03/06/2010 page1)