Reference picture management methods for video coding

Reference picture management scheme is provided in the context of video coding. A method of decoding an encoded video sequence, comprising obtaining a value of a reference picture list (RPL) syntax element from a bitstream of the encoded video sequence, the RPL syntax element specifying whether syntax elements related to reference picture lists are present in the bitstream, when the RPL syntax element specifies that the syntax elements related to the reference picture lists are present in the bitstream, obtaining, from the bitstream, values of the syntax elements related to the reference picture lists; and constructing at least one reference picture list for inter prediction using the obtained values of the syntax elements related to the reference picture lists.