BEIJING, Jan. 10 -- Chinese vice president Li Yuanchao on Friday met a visiting delegation of Hong Kong District Council chairpersons in Beijing.

Li praised the district council's work in serving the people of Hong Kong and supporting the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government in their administration according to law, which Li said had played an important role in practicing the "one country, two systems" policy.

Li said the HKSAR government is seeking public opinion regarding the election of Hong Kong's next chief executive through universal suffrage in 2017.

He said that while hearing a report by Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, President Xi Jinping said that the central government standpoint on the election of Hong Kong's next Chief Executive by universal suffrage is persistent and clear.

Li said that he hopes the district council will continue to support the HKSAR government's administration according to law, promote the realization of universal suffrage according to the basic law and decisions of the NPC Standing Committee and safeguard the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong.