Political Structure | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Political Structure- Constitution of Hong Kong | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Chapter IV: Political Structure
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Section 1: The Chief Executive
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Article 43 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be the head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and
shall represent the Region.
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The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be accountable to the Central People's Government and the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the provisions of
this Law.
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Article 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be a Chinese citizen of not less than 40 years of age who is a
permanent resident of the Region with no right of abode in any foreign
country and has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period
of not less than 20 years.
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Article 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be selected by election or through consultations held locally and
be appointed by the Central People's Government.
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The method for selecting the Chief Executive shall be specified in
the light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual
and orderly progress. The ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief
Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly
representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic
procedures.
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The specific method for selecting the Chief Executive is prescribed
in Annex I: "Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region".
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Article 46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The term of office of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall be five years. He or she may serve for not
more than two consecutive terms.
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Article 47 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
must be a person of integrity, dedicated to his or her duties.
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The Chief Executive, on assuming office, shall declare his or her
assets to the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region. This declaration shall be put on
record.
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Article 48 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall exercise the following powers and functions:
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(1) To lead the government of the Region;
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(2) To be responsible for the implementation of this Law and other
laws which, in accordance with this Law, apply in the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region;
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(3) To sign bills passed by the Legislative Council and to
promulgate laws; To sign budgets passed by the Legislative Council and report the budgets and final accounts to the Central People's Government for the record;
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(4) To decide on government policies and to issue executive
orders;
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(5) To nominate and to report to the Central People's Government
for appointment the following principal officials: Secretaries
and Deputy Secretaries of Departments, Directors of Bureaux,
Commissioner Against Corruption, Director of Audit,
Commissioner of Police, Director of Immigration and
Commissioner of Customs and Excise; and to recommend to the
Central People's Government the removal of the above-mentioned
officials;
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(6) To appoint or remove judges of the courts at all levels in
accordance with legal procedures;
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(7) To appoint or remove holders of public office in accordance
with legal procedures;
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(8) To implement the directives issued by the Central People's
Government in respect of the relevant matters provided for in
this Law;
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(9) To conduct, on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region, external affairs and other
affairs as authorized by the Central Authorities;
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(10) To approve the introduction of motions regarding revenues or
expenditure to the Legislative Council;
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(11) To decide, in the light of security and vital public interests, whether government officials or other personnel in charge of government affairs should testify or give evidence before the Legislative Council or its committees; | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(12) To pardon persons convicted of criminal offences or commute their penalties; and | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(13) To handle petitions and complaints. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Article 49 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region considers that a bill passed by the Legislative Council is not compatible with the overall interests of the Region, he or she may return it to the Legislative Council within three months for reconsideration. If the Legislative Council passes the original bill again by not less than a two-thirds majority of all the members, the Chief Executive must sign and promulgate it within one month, or act in accordance with the provisions of Article 50 of this Law. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Article 50 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region refuses to sign a bill passed the second time by the Legislative Council, or the Legislative Council refuses to pass a budget or any other important bill introduced by the government, and if consensus still cannot be reached after consultations, the Chief Executive may dissolve the Legislative Council. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chief Executive must consult the Executive Council before dissolving the Legislative Council. The Chief Executive may dissolve the Legislative Council only once in each term of his or her office. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Article 51 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region refuses to pass the budget introduced by the government, the Chief Executive may apply to the Legislative Council for provisional appropriations. If appropriation of public funds cannot be approved because the Legislative Council has already been dissolved, the Chief Executive may, prior to the election of the new Legislative Council approve provisional short-term appropriations according to the level of expenditure of the previous fiscal year. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Article 52 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must resign under any of the following circumstances: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1) When he or she loses the ability to discharge his or her duties as a result of serious illness or other reasons; | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(2) When, after the Legislative Council is dissolved because he or
she twice refuses to sign a bill passed by it, the new
Legislative Council again passes by a two-thirds majority of
all the members the original bill in dispute, but he or she
still refuses to sign it; and
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(3) When, after the Legislative Council is dissolved because it
refuses to pass a budget or any other important bill, the new
Legislative Council still refuses to pass the original bill in
dispute.
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Article 53 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
If the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region is not able to discharge his or her duties for a short period,
such duties shall temporarily be assumed by the Administrative
Secretary, Financial Secretary or Secretary of Justice in this order of
precedence.
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In the event that the office of Chief Executive becomes vacant, a
new Chief Executive shall be selected within six months in accordance
with the provisions of Article 45 of this Law. During the period of
vacancy, his or her duties shall be assumed according to the provisions
of the preceding paragraph.
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Article 54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall be an organ for assisting the Chief Executive in policy-
making.
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Article 55 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Members of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall be appointed by the Chief Executive from
among the principal officials of the executive authorities, members of
the Legislative Council and public figures. Their appointment or
removal shall be decided by the Chief Executive. The term of office of
members of the Executive Council shall not extend beyond the expiry of
the term of office of the Chief Executive who appoints them.
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Members of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent
residents of the Region with no right of abode in any foreign country.
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The Chief Executive may, as he or she deems necessary, invite other
persons concerned to sit in on meetings of the Council.
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Article 56 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall be presided over by the Chief Executive.
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Except for the appointment, removal and disciplining of officials
and the adoption of measures in emergencies, the Chief Executive shall
consult the Executive Council before making important policy decisions,
introducing bills to the Legislative Council, making subordinate
legislation, or dissolving the Legislative Council.
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If the Chief Executive does not accept a majority opinion of the
Executive Council, he or she shall put the specific reasons on record.
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Article 57 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Commission Against Corruption shall be established in the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region. It shall function independently and
be accountable to the Chief Executive.
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Article 58
A Commission of Audit shall be established in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region. It shall function independently and be
accountable to the Chief Executive. |
Section 2: The Executive Authorities Article 59
| The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
be the executive authorities of the Region. |
Article 60
| The head of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall be the Chief Executive of the Region.
| A Department of Administration, a Department of Finance, Department
of Justice, and various bureaux, divisions and commissions shall be
established in the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region. |
Article 61
| The principal officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the
Region with no right of abode in any foreign country and have ordinarily
resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 15 years. |
Article 62
| The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
exercise the following powers and functions: |
(1) To formulate and implement policies; |
(2) To conduct administrative affairs; |
(3) To conduct external affairs as authorized by the Central
People's Government under this Law; |
(4) To draw up and introduce budgets and final accounts; |
(5) To draft and introduce bills, motions and subordinate
legislation; and |
(6) To designate officials to sit in on the meetings of the
Legislative Council and to speak on behalf of the government. |
Article 63
| The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference. |
Article 64
| The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must
abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Council of the
Region: it shall implement laws passed by the Council and already in
force; it shall present regular policy addresses to the Council; it
shall answer questions raised by members of the Council; and it shall
obtain approval from the Council for taxation and public expenditure.
| Article 65
| The previous system of establishing advisory bodies by the
executive authorities shall be maintained.
| Section 3: The Legislature Article 66
| The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall be the legislature of the Region.
| Article 67
| The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall be composed of Chinese citizens who are permanent residents
of the Region with no right of abode in any foreign country. However,
permanent residents of the Region who are not of Chinese nationality or
who have the right of abode in foreign countries may also be elected
members of the Legislative Council of the Region, provided that the
proportion of such members does not exceed 20 per cent of the total
membership of the Council.
| Article 68
| The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall be constituted by election. |
The method for forming the Legislative Council shall be specified
in the light of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual
and orderly progress. The ultimate aim is the election of all the
members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage. |
The specific method for forming the Legislative Council and its
procedures for voting on bills and motions are prescribed in Annex II:
"Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures". |
Article 69
| The term of office of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region shall be four years, except the first term
which shall be two years. |
Article 70
| If the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region is dissolved by the Chief Executive in accordance with the
provisions of this Law, it must, within three months, be reconstituted
by election in accordance with Article 68 of this Law. |
Article 71
| The President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall be elected by and from among the members of
the Legislative Council. |
The President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall be a Chinese citizen of not less than 40
years of age, who is a permanent resident of the Region with no right of
abode in any foreign country and has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for
a continuous period of not less than 20 years. |
Article 72
| The President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall exercise the following powers and functions: |
(1) To preside over meetings; |
(2) To decide on the agenda, giving priority to government bills
for inclusion in the agenda; |
(3) To decide on the time of meetings; |
(4) To call special sessions during the recess; |
(5) To call emergency sessions on the request of the Chief
Executive; and |
(6) To exercise other powers and functions as prescribed in the
rules of procedure of the Legislative Council. |
Article 73
| The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region shall exercise the following powers and functions: |
(1) To enact, amend or repeal laws in accordance with the
provisions of this Law and legal procedures; |
(2) To examine and approve budgets introduced by the government; |
(3) To approve taxation and public expenditure; |
(4) To receive and debate the policy addresses of the Chief
Executive; |
(5) To raise questions on the work of the government; |
(6) To debate any issue concerning public interests; |
(7) To endorse the appointment and removal of the judges of the
Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Court; |
(8) To receive and handle complaints from Hong Kong residents; |
(9) If a motion initiated jointly by one-fourth of all the members
of the Legislative Council charges the Chief Executive with
serious breach of law or dereliction of duty and if he or she
refuses to resign, the Council may, after passing a motion for
investigation, give a mandate to the Chief Justice of the
Court of Final Appeal to form and chair an independent
investigation committee. The committee shall be responsible
for carrying out the investigation and reporting its findings
to the Council. If the committee considers the evidence
sufficient to substantiate such charges, the Council may pass
a motion of impeachment by a two-thirds majority of all its
members and report it to the Central People's Government for
decision; and |
(10) To summon, as required when exercising the above-mentioned
powers and functions, persons concerned to testify or give
evidence. |
Article 74
| Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region may introduce bills in accordance with the
provisions of this Law and legal procedures. Bills which do not relate
to public expenditure or political structure or the operation of the
government may be introduced individually or jointly by members of the
Council. The written consent of the Chief Executive shall be required
before bills relating to government policies are introduced. |
Article 75
| The quorum for the meeting of the Legislative Council of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region shall be not less than one half of
all its members. |
The rules of procedure of the Legislative Council shall be made by
the Council on its own, provided that they do not contravene this Law. |
Article 76
| A bill passed by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region may take effect only after it is signed and
promulgated by the Chief Executive. |
Article 77
| Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall be immune from legal action in respect of
their statements at meetings of the Council. |
Article 78
| Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall not be subjected to arrest when attending or
on their way to a meeting of the Council. |
Article 79
| The President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall declare that a member of the Council is no
longer qualified for the office under any of the following
circumstances: |
(1) When he or she loses the ability to discharge his or her
duties as a result of serious illness or other reasons; |
(2) When he or she, with no valid reason, is absent from meetings
for three consecutive months without the consent of the
President of the Legislative Council; |
(3) When he or she loses or renounces his or her status as a
permanent resident of the Region; |
(4) When he or she accepts a government appointment and becomes a
public servant; |
(5) When he or she is bankrupt or fails to comply with a court
order to repay debts; |
(6) When he or she is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for
one month or more for a criminal offence committed within or
outside the Region and is relieved of his or her duties by a
motion passed by two-thirds of the members of the Legislative
Council present; and |
(7) When he or she is censured for misbehaviour or breach of oath
by a vote of two-thirds of the members of the Legislative
Council present. |
Section 4: The Judiciary Article 80
| The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region at all
levels shall be the judiciary of the Region, exercising the judicial
power of the Region. |
Article 81
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 practised 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.
Article 82
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. |
Article 83
The structure, powers and functions of the courts of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region at all levels shall be prescribed by law. |
Article 84
The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
adjudicate cases in accordance with the laws applicable in the Region as
prescribed in Article 18 of this Law and may refer to precedents of
other common law jurisdictions. |
Article 85
The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference.
Members of the judiciary shall be immune from legal action in the
performance of their judicial functions. |
Article 86
| The principle of trial by jury previously practised in Hong Kong
shall be maintained. |
Article 87
| In criminal or civil proceedings in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, the principles previously applied in Hong Kong
and the rights previously enjoyed by parties to proceedings shall be
maintained. |
Anyone who is lawfully arrested shall have the right to a fair
trial by the judicial organs without delay and shall be presumed
innocent until convicted by the judicial organs. |
Article 88
| Judges of the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be appointed by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of an
independent commission composed of local judges, persons from the legal
profession and eminent persons from other sectors. |
Article 89
| A judge of a court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
may only be removed for inability to discharge his or her duties, or for
misbehaviour, by the Chief Executive on the recommendation of a tribunal
appointed by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal and
consisting of not fewer than three local judges. |
The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region may be investigated only for inability to
discharge his or her duties, or for misbehaviour, by a tribunal
appointed by the Chief Executive and consisting of not fewer than five
local judges and may be removed by the Chief Executive on the
recommendation of the tribunal and in accordance with the procedures
prescribed in this Law. |
Article 90
| The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge
of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of the Region with no
right of abode in any foreign country. | In the case of the appointment or removal of judges of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Chief Executive shall, in addition to following the procedures prescribed in Articles 88 and 89 of this Law, obtain the endorsement of the Legislative Council and report such appointment or removal to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the record.
Article 91
| The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall maintain the
previous system of appointment and removal of members of the judiciary
other than judges. |
Article 92
| Judges and other members of the judiciary of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region shall be chosen on the basis of their judicial and
professional qualities and may be recruited from other common law
jurisdictions. |
Article 93
Judges and other members of the judiciary serving in Hong Kong
before the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
may all remain in employment and retain their seniority with pay,
allowances, benefits and conditions of service no less favourable than
before. |
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
pay to judges and other members of the judiciary who retire or leave the
service in compliance with regulations, including those who have retired
or left the service before the establishment of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, or to their dependants, all pensions, gratuities,
allowances and benefits due to them on terms no less favourable than
before, irrespective of their nationality or place of residence. |
Article 94
| On the basis of the system previously operating in Hong Kong, the
Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may make
provisions for local lawyers and lawyers from outside Hong Kong to work
and practise in the Region. |
Article 95
| The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may, through
consultations and in accordance with law, maintain juridical relations
with the judicial organs of other parts of the country, and they may
render assistance to each other. |
Article 96
| With the assistance or authorization of the Central People's
Government, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region may make appropriate arrangements with foreign states for
reciprocal juridical assistance. |
Section 5: District Organizations
Article 97
| District organizations which are not organs of political power may
be established in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, to be
consulted by the government of the Region on district administration and
other affairs, or to be responsible for providing services in such
fields as culture, recreation and environmental sanitation. |
Article 98
| The powers and functions of the district organizations and the
method for their formation shall be prescribed by law. |
Section 6: Public Servants
Article 99
| Public servants serving in all government departments of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region must be permanent residents of the
Region, except where otherwise provided for in Article 101 of this Law
regarding public servants of foreign nationalities and except for those
below a certain rank as prescribed by law. |
Public servants must be dedicated to their duties and be
responsible to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region. |
Article 100
| Public servants serving in all Hong Kong government departments,
including the police department, before the establishment of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region, may all remain in employment and
retain their seniority with pay, allowances, benefits and conditions of
service no less favourable than before. |
Article 101
| The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may
employ British and other foreign nationals previously serving in the
public service in Hong Kong, or those holding permanent identity cards
of the Region, to serve as public servants in government departments at
all levels, but only Chinese citizens among permanent residents of the
Region with no right of abode in any foreign country may fill the
following posts: the Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of Departments,
Directors of Bureaux, Commissioner Against Corruption, Director of
Audit, Commissioner of Police, Director of Immigration and Commissioner
of Customs and Excise. |
The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may
also employ British and other foreign nationals as advisers to
government departments and, when required, may recruit qualified
candidates from outside the Region to fill professional and technical
posts in government departments. These foreign nationals shall be
employed only in their individual capacities and shall be responsible to
the government of the Region. |
Article 102
| The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
pay to public servants who retire or who leave the service in compliance
with regulations, including those who have retired or who have left the
service in compliance with regulations before the establishment of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or to their dependants, all
pensions, gratuities, allowances and benefits due to them on terms no
less favourable than before, irrespective of their nationality or place
of residence. |
Article 103
| The appointment and promotion of public servants shall be on the
basis of their qualifications, experience and ability. Hong Kong's
previous system of recruitment, employment, assessment, discipline,
training and management for the public service, including special bodies
for their appointment, pay and conditions of service, shall be
maintained, except for any provisions for privileged treatment of
foreign nationals. |
Article 104
| When assuming office, the Chief Executive, principal officials,
members of the Executive Council and of the Legislative Council, judges
of the courts at all levels and other members of the judiciary in the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must, in accordance with law,
swear to uphold the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of the People's Republic of China and swear allegiance to the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of
China. |
Constitution of Hong Kong Preamble
| General Principles
| Authorities and Administrative Region
| Fundamental Rights and Duties
| Political Structure
| The Chief Executive
| The Executive Authorities
| The Legislature
| The Judiciary
| District Organizations
| Public Servants
| Economy
| Public Finance Industry and Commerce
| Land Leases
| Shipping
| Civil Aviation
| Education Science Culture and Social Services
| External Affairs
| Interpretation and Amendment of the Basic Law
| Supplementary Provisions
| Selection of the Chief
| Formation of the Legislative Council
| Laws to be Applied in the Hong Kong
| |