China's top leaders meet this week for talks on Hong Kong's political future.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is holding a week-long session to discuss how Hong Kong picks its leader.

Beijing says Hong Kong residents can elect their leader in 2017, but critics expect Beijing to screen candidates via a nominating committee.

Pro-democracy activists have pledged large-scale civil disobedience if an acceptable agreement is not reached.

The Standing Committee is meeting from 25-31 August, a statement said last week.

Lawmakers would deliberate on a report from Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung on whether to revise election methods for the territory's top job, state-run Xinhua news agency said.

Mr Leung was selected by a 1,200-member committee in 2012, but in 2017 Hong Kong residents will be allowed to vote for their leader.

At the heart of the row, however, is whether Beijing will require candidates for the position of chief executive to obtain support from more than 50% of a nominating committee in order to get his or her name on the ballot.

Most expect that committee to be made up of pro-Beijing businessmen and individuals, thereby giving mainland authorities an effective veto over candidates.

But activists want no restrictions on the nomination of candidates. A decision is expected at the end of the month.

The pro-democracy Occupy Central movement has pledged to hold a sit-in of 10,000 protesters in the territory's business district if it views the ruling from Beijing as inadequate.

(BBC)