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Hong Kong Basic Law

Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law was drafted as part of the Sino-British Joint Declaration covering Hong Kong after its handover to China on July 1, 1997. The declaration stated Hong Kong would be governed under the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ and continue to enjoy its capitalist system and individual freedoms for 50 years after the handover.
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Stop mourning Hong Kong. It’s evolving, not dying

Nostalgia is understandable, but the city has reinvented itself numerous times before, and is doing so again.

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Hong Kong courts

Court approves last attempt by 11 jailed opposition figures to clear their names

Hong Kong courts

Editorial | Retirement of Hong Kong judge over plagiarism is in judiciary’s interest

Law

Legal Tales | Everything you never wanted to know about hosting the World Cup

Why lawyers have to keep their eye on the ball when nations become eager to host the next Fifa World Cup.

Official sponsors pay billions for exclusivity, meaning host nations must establish “clean zones” around stadiums where unauthorised advertising and street trading are prohibited. Photo: Reuters
Hong Kong society

Legal Tales | Legal tender and electronic payments – can we insist on paying in cash?

Answer lies in common law’s approach to concept of legal tender.

Crime in Hong Kong

Lawmaker William Wong says sorry after arrest over CUHK drink-driving crash

CUHK associate dean arrested on suspicion of drink-driving, careless driving and failing to stop and report an accident.

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Law

Legal Tales | Power of Hong Kong’s new national security regulation must be prudently deployed

The new powers conferred on the chief executive must be exercised in a way that is consistent with rights and freedoms entrenched in the Basic Law.

A large banner promoting the National Security Law displayed at Tsim Sha Tsui’s Star Ferry Pier in June 2020. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong courts

Opinion | Why executive branches are best placed to gauge national security risks

Courts the world over sit on national security cases but defer to executive judgment on national security issues. Hong Kong is no different.

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John Lee

John Lee vows ‘prudent’ use of power to define national security offences

Leader rejects concerns over centralisation of power, citing ‘state players’, sensitive information and ‘special responsibility’ to safeguard security.

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Hong Kong politics

Editorial | National security law refinement aims to clarify, plug loopholes

The move does not involve expanded powers but provides greater certainty in implementation of the law. It will not affect those who are law-abiding.

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok delivers a speech at the National Security Legal Forum at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on April 15. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong courts

Legal Tales | The evolution of Hong Kong’s independent common law

A recent Court of Final Appeal ruling confirms that the city’s common law is its very own.

The statue of Lady Justice on the roof of the Court of Final Appeal building in Central. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong earmarks additional HK$5 billion for national security

Fresh allocation brings total funding to HK$18 billion over five years.

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Hong Kong

Opinion | Hong Kong must keep its unique edge even as it enjoys deeper mainland ties

As mainland officials manage Hong Kong affairs through the ‘one of us’ lens, it should not affect the city’s role as a superconnector.

Hong Kong national security law

‘Specified persons’ will be able to decrypt devices in national security cases

Security chief says amendments to implementation rules have not created new law enforcement powers.

The national security law’s implementation rules have recently been amended. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Here’s what an executive-led government really means in Hong Kong

The legislature and judiciary have a constitutional duty to rally behind the executive while exercising their powers independently.

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Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu attends the first session of the eighth Legislative Council in Admiralty on January 14, as Legco president Starry Lee Wai-king looks on. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong society

Anthony Mason, who helped put top Hong Kong court on the map, dies at age 100

City leader, current and former top judges pay tribute to former Australian chief justice and praise ‘his profound wisdom and illustrious experience’.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | White paper documents the strength of Hong Kong’s security shield

Beijing’s latest white paper on Hong Kong clears up misconceptions by chronicling the progress made on protecting national security.

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Two Sessions 2026

How will Hong Kong follow mainland China’s ethnic unity promotion law?

Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress set to be passed at the closing session of 14th National People’s Congress.

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The law aims to forge a strong “sense of community for the Chinese nation” and advance “common prosperity” among the country’s 56 ethnic groups. Photo: Jelly Tse
Two Sessions 2025

Editorial | Vital to consolidate executive-led system for Hong Kong’s development

Chinese leaders stress that all of Hong Kong, from government branches to society, have a shared responsibility to ensure the system truly works.

Hong Kong courts

Opinion | A speedy pardon in the Jimmy Lai case is unlikely

Foreign governments campaigning for the former media boss’ release should thoroughly look into the nuances of the case as the legal process plays out.

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Hong Kong’s Tai Po fire tragedy

Hong Kong official warns of lower payout if Tai Po fire victims reject buy-back plan

Deputy finance chief Michael Wong urges Wang Fuk Court flat owners to ‘make a wise decision’ or face lower compensation under possible legislation.

The government is expected to spend about HK$6.8 billion to buy back damaged flats at Wang Fuk Court, offering HK$8,000 or HK$10,500 per square foot. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

Opinion | Executive-led governance in Hong Kong must start by listening to the people

As the head of the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office has stressed, an executive-led system must be coherent to be effective, and this requires building consensus.

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Morning rush hour at the North Point MTR station in Hong Kong in December 2025. To build public confidence in governance, Hong Kong people must see that their concerns are addressed before decisions are locked in. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong politics

Opinion | Legco must exercise due diligence against the tyranny of KPIs

Even if the government drafted perfect laws, lawmakers must scrutinise them without being afraid of performing their constitutional duty.

Hong Kong politics

Are Hong Kong lawmakers also to blame over seat belt law blunder?

Government’s flip-flopping on mandatory seat belts aboard buses is wake-up call for legislators to scrutinise bills more rigorously, experts say.

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Hong Kong courts

Opinion | Those betting on Hong Kong’s bright future have backed a winner

The ‘one country, two systems’ framework, enshrined in the Basic Law and staunchly supported by the central government, has allowed the city to flourish.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong

Legal Tales | Late corporate activist David Webb showed why transparency benefits Hong Kong

Webb’s website reported on suspicious corporate wrongdoings under an open system that improved city’s governance and exercise of the rule of law.

David Webb with his website displayed on his computer, photographed at his Shiu Fai Terrace home in 2000. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong politics

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

With the city’s new legislature in place, it is time to further reinforce the executive-led system laid out in the constitutional order.

Hong Kong politics

Perform on ‘same stage’, don’t undermine: Xia tells Hong Kong lawmakers, judges

Beijing’s point man on Hong Kong affairs calls for stronger ‘ownership’ of city, rejects hostile forces promoting separation of powers.

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