The Basic Law is the constitutional document for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR).

It enshrines within a legal document the important concepts of “One Country, Two Systems”, “a high degree of autonomy” and “Hong Kong People ruling Hong Kong”. It also prescribes the various systems practiced in the HKSAR.   The Basic Law came into effect on July 1, 1997 when  Hong Kong’s sovereignty was returned to China.