Editorial | Executive-led model key to Hong Kong’s success

“Although the executive, legislative and judicial branches have their respective divisions of labour, their ultimate goal is the same,” said Xia Baolong. “They perform on the same stage – they should support one another rather than pull the rug out from under each other.” The executive-led system is a natural requirement under the constitutional order and pivotal to the city’s prosperity and stability.

The executive-led model is not a political slogan. It is a constitutional design rooted in both China’s Constitution and the Basic Law. It places the chief executive at the core of governance. The chief executive is responsible to both the central government and the special administrative region while the executive, legislative and judicial branches perform the functions spelled out in the Basic Law and work together for the common good of Hong Kong.

Xia’s remarks are the clearest affirmation yet of the importance of the executive-led system under the constitutional order. With the new legislature in place, the system should be further reinforced to ensure it is implemented accurately and effectively.

Xia called for vigilance against “evolving tactics” to oppose, damage and disrupt the executive-led government, saying foreign and disruptive forces still promoted the idea of separation of powers to undermine the authority of the local and central governments.

China’s unitary system does not recognise the separation of powers. Yet the arrangements for the executive, legislative and judicial branches to function separately under the Basic Law are a fact of life. The renewed call for the legislature and judiciary to support and work with the executive need not be taken as checks and balances being weakened under the executive-led system. As Xia said, lawmakers should work diligently, serve the people, shoulder responsibility, maintain good conduct, love the country and discharge their duty with a high degree of professionalism.