Should Hong Kong’s Basic Law be scrapped and a new constitution negotiated?
Brian Jones says freedoms are eroding in Hong Kong because the Basic Law is a failure, not for any lack of adherence


All of these events directly contradict some of the most important provisions of the Basic Law. And yet, Hong Kong citizens still cling to the text for dear life (given the circumstances, I do not blame them).
Hong Kong’s Basic Law should be amended by national legislature, former diplomat says
To avoid all doubt, I readily admit that I am a strong advocate of the autonomy provided by the Basic Law, and believe the current situation in Hong Kong is undesirable and intolerable for the Hong Kong people. I do not support Beijing’s meddling in Hong Kong affairs.
Discussion surrounding Hong Kong’s Basic Law usually focuses on the conditions in which the Basic Law operates (that is, most commentators focus on Beijing’s lacklustre appreciation for certain rights or freedoms spelt out in the document, or on Beijing’s interpretation of particular provisions), rather than on the lack of effectiveness of the document itself. There has even been widespread speculation that, in relation to Hong Kong-China relations, the governing method of “one country, two systems” has failed. This is nothing new.
However, as the Basic Law is now entering its 20th year in force, the situation in Hong Kong is more desperate than it has ever been as regards the special administrative region’s enhanced rights and freedoms. Thus, it now appears time to recognise the fact that the Basic Law – with all of its promise in 1997 – is just another failed constitution.
