The Chief Executive of the autonomous city Hong Kong, Leung chun-ying, was appointed as the vice president of China's top political advisory body on Monday. Mr Leung's appointment to the ceremonial post comes at a time when he is expected to resign from his chief executive position in July this year. 

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Leung's selection process was completed at the last day of the annual Chinese parliament session, with 2,066 delegates voting in favour of a motion that was formally placed to appoint the top Hong Kong's top politician to the vice chairman post. Only 13 delegates opposed the motion while 16 remained abstain and six delegates chose not to vote.

Following Leung's selection, President Xi Jingping reached out to him and shook his hand. Both leaders chatted for roughly one minute. "We congratulate him. He will be able to play a bigger role in exchanges between the mainland and Hong Kong in the future," CPPCC spokesman Wang Guoqing said on Leung's appointment.

The China's top political advisory body, known as the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, does not hold any executive powers. Its members, who hail from various backgrounds from business, the arts, civil society, sports and academia, offer advice to the Chinese government for formulating key policies.

Nonetheless, Leung's appointment has started a debate whether he can simultaneously hold two important posts. Critics are questioning whether his dual posts goes against the "one country, two systems" principle. The article 22 of the Hong Kong's mini constitution apparently states that no mainland Chinese authority has the right to interfere in the autonomous city's internal affairs.

The on-going corruption investigation against the Hong Kong politician is also making the situation further complicated. Leung is alleged to have received huge amount of illegal money from the Australian engineering firm UGL. Several delegates raised concerns over the high profile probe during the voting process.

Leung chun-ying's five year tenure as Hong Kong chief executive has been equally fraught with controversies as he failed to contain the pro-democracy waves in the semi-autonomous city. Last year, the former British colony witnessed one of its biggest pro-democracy movement since joining the Mainland China in 1996.     

TagsHong Kong, Leung Chun-ying, China and Hong Kong, china