Government system of Hong Kong

Prior to July 1, 1997, Hong Kong was a British dependent territory.

A British-appointed governor, representing the British crown, headed the Hong Kong government and exercised authority over civil and military matters.

An Executive Council advised the governor on all important matters, and a 60-member Legislative Council (known as Legco) enacted laws and oversaw the budget.

With the territory’s transfer to China in 1997, leadership passed from the last British governor, Chris Patten, to a Chinese chief executive, Tung Chee-hwa.

The terms of the transfer to China were based on a “one country, two systems” concept, under which Hong Kong is allowed a high degree of autonomy, charting its own course with the exception of foreign affairs and defense.

The Hong Kong SAR is governed under a “mini-constitution” called the Basic Law, which guarantees that the capitalist system and way of life in Hong Kong will remain unchanged for 50 years after the transfer to China.

Under the Basic Law, a chief executive, appointed to a maximum of two five-year terms, heads the government of the Hong Kong SAR.

An election committee, whose members are appointed by China, selects the chief executive. The chief executive presides over the Executive Council, whose members assist the chief executive in policy-making decisions.

The lawmaking body of the Hong Kong SAR is the Legislative Council, which is comprised of 60 members who serve four-year terms.

In the 2004 legislative elections 30 seats went to candidates who were directly elected by a system of proportional representation (in which seats are awarded to a political party in proportion to the number of popular votes it receives), and 30 seats were determined by elections within “functional constituencies” comprising professional and special interest groups.

The judiciary of the Hong Kong SAR is independent, and laws are based on English common law and the rules of equity. Judges are appointed by the chief executive.