|
Fast Facts About Hong Kong
Click on this link to view a list of quick statistics on Hong Kong:
http://www.hketo.ca/abouthk/figures.htmlClick on this link to view the key economic and social indicators on Hong Kong:
http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hong_kong_statistics/key_economic_and_social_indicators
What is a Special Administrative Region?
Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) within China. We enjoy a high degree of autonomy while the Central People�s Government is responsible for our foreign affairs and defence.
Hong Kong has been part of China since ancient times; it was occupied by Britain after the Opium War in 1840. On 19 December 1984, the Chinese and British Governments signed the Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong, affirming that the Government of the People�s Republic of China would resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong with effect from 1 July 1997.
A Special Administrative Region was established on 1 July 1997 under the principle of "one country, two systems". The socialist system and policies will not be practised in Hong Kong and Hong Kong's previous capitalist system and life-style shall remain unchanged for 50 years.What is the Basic Law?
In short, the Basic Law is Hong Kong�s mini-constitution. 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 to be practised in the HKSAR.
Some important articles in the Basic Law include:
The HKSAR shall protect the right of private ownership of property in accordance with law. (cf. BL 6)
No department of the Central People�s Government (CPG) and no province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government may interfere in the affairs which the HKSAR administers on its own in accordance with the Basic Law. (cf. BL 22)
The CPG shall be responsible for the defence and the foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR. (cf. BL 13-14)
Hong Kong residents shall have, among other things, freedom of speech, of the press and of publication; freedom of association, of assembly, of procession, of demonstration, of communication, of movement, of conscience, of religious belief, and of marriage; and the right and freedom to form and join trade unions, and to strike. (cf. BL 27-38)
The provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and international labour conventions as applied to Hong Kong shall remain in force and shall be implemented through the laws of the HKSAR. (cf. BL 39)
The Court of Final Appeal, the High Court, district courts, magistrates?courts and other special courts shall be established in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The High Court shall comprise the Court of Appeal and the Court of First Instance. The judicial system previously practiced in Hong Kong shall be maintained except for those changes consequent upon the establishment of the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (cf. BL 81)
The power of final adjudication of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be vested in the Court of Final Appeal of the Region, which may as required invite judges from other common law jurisdictions to sit on the Court of Final Appeal. (cf. BL 82)
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall provide an appropriate economic and legal environment for the maintenance of the status of Hong Kong as an international financial centre. (cf. BL 109)
No foreign exchange control policies shall be applied in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Hong Kong dollar shall be freely convertible. Markets for foreign exchange, gold, securities, futures and the like shall continue. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall safeguard the free flow of capital within, into and out of the Region. (cf. BL 112)
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall pursue the policy of free trade and safeguard the free movement of goods, intangible assets and capital. (cf. BL 115)
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall provide an economic and legal environment for encouraging investments, technological progress and the development of new industries. (cf. BL 118)
Do you know: -
Article 32 of the Basic Law stipulates that "Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of religious belief and freedom to preach and to conduct and participate in religious activities in public." |
More on the Basic Law...
Click here to view all issues of the Basic Law Bulletin...
The Political Structure in Hong Kong
The Government of the Hong Kong SAR is the executive authority of the Region. It is headed by the Chief Executive, who is the head of the Hong Kong SAR. The Executive Council assists the Chief Executive in making policies. The Council is often referred to as the "Cabinet" in the Hong Kong SAR Government. The Executive Council normally meets once a week. The Chief Executive presides over its meetings. Except for the appointment, removal and discipline of officials and the adoption of measures in emergencies, the Chief Executive consults the Executive Council on all major policy matters. If the Chief Executive does not accept a majority opinion of the Executive Council, he is required to put the specific reasons on record.
The Administration is organized into the Government Secretariat and departments. The Government Secretariat bureaux (a parallel to the ministries in Canada) formulate policies and initiate legislative proposals. Departments implement laws and policies and provide direct services to the public.
The Legislative Council legislates, approves public expenditure and monitors the performance of the Administration. The Council currently has 60 members, with 24 Members returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections, 30 Members by functional constituencies, and 6 Members by an Election Committee comprising 800 elected representatives of the community.
The Judiciary operates on the principle, fundamental to the common law system, of independence from the Executive and the Legislature. The Court of Final Appeal has the power of final adjudication.Click on this link to view a list of quick statistics on Hong Kong:
http://www.hketo.ca/abouthk/figures.html
|
