Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), joins a panel discussion with deputies to the 12th NPC from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at the annual session of the NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 6, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Tao)

BEIJING, March 6 (Xinhua) -- Senior Chinese leaders on Monday joined national lawmakers and political advisors in discussions at the ongoing "two sessions."

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, joined NPC deputies from Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions in two separate panel discussions.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, Zhang said, voicing the hope that a new chief executive who meets the central government's requirements will be elected smoothly and according to law. He also urged Hong Kong to maintain political stability and economic prosperity.

Zhang said Macao should seize the country's development opportunities and continue to serve as an example of the "one country, two systems" practice.

Yu Zhengsheng, chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, joined political advisors from the China Democratic League and personages without party affiliation in a panel discussion.

Yu called on them to conduct research and raise suggestions on major economic and social issues, and perform their duties in democratic supervision.

Wang Qishan, secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, joined NPC deputies from Qinghai Province, home to the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow River and other major rivers.

Wang stressed the importance of confidence in Chinese culture, hoping Qinghai will protect the rivers that have fostered Chinese civilization.

Joining NPC deputies from Tianjin Municipality, Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli called for pursuing economic development of a higher quality, more efficient, more equitable and more sustainable.

Zhang expressed hope that Tianjin would make solid progress in supply-side structural reform, and promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.

Zhang Dejiang, Yu Zhengsheng, Wang Qishan and Zhang Gaoli are all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.