Hong Kong

Government

The government of Hong Kong is formulated after the provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), enacted by China's National People's Congress in 1990. The Basic Law ensures "one country, two systems," according to which principle Hong Kong retains its capitalist economy and a large degree of political autonomy while remaining part of China, which provides for Hong Kong's foreign policy and defense.

The previous law code remains in place and is generally that of Britain. A five-member Court of Final Appeal is the highest court, followed by a High Court, which is in turn followed by district, magistrate, and special courts.

The chief legislative body is the 60-member Legislative Council, 20 of which are directly elected. Executive authority rests with the chief executive, who is directly responsible to Beijing and serves a five-year term. While all these positions were initially appointed by the 400-member Provisional, the positions are to be filled by direct elections by the year 2007.