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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.
Two girls gaze intently at a smartphone at a fast food outlet in Kennedy Town on August 7. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong moves in the right direction on minors’ social media use

The question is not whether governments should act to protect children online but how. The city has chosen careful study over slogans.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | To understand where Hong Kong is going, start with Tung Chee-hwa

Hong Kong society

Legislation among options to regulate minors’ social media use: justice minister

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Hong Kong politics

Tung Chee-hwa’s rise to first Hong Kong chief executive and elder statesman

Shipping tycoon steered city through stormy post-handover era of economic and health crises before helping improve US-China ties.

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Tung Chee-hwa, the first chief executive of Hong Kong following the transfer of sovereignty to China on July 1, 1997, has died. Photo: May Tse
Tung Chee-hwa was praised as a leader whose ideas were ahead of his time. Photo: Martin Chan
Chinese President Jiang Zemin (left) with Tung Chee-hwa in 2000. Photo: AP
Tung Chee-hwa holds a child during a community visit to Wong Tai Sin in 1997. Photo: Robert Ng
Hong Kong

Legal Tales | True friends stab you in the front? The importance of debate in today’s world

For Legal Tales’ final column, Jose-Antonio Maurellet discusses the competition of ideas as judiciaries navigate a polarised world.

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 court cites five legal issues deserving further scrutiny over appellants’ involvement in unofficial 2020 primary to take over legislature.

Benny Tai was previously sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for acting as the chief organiser of the unofficial primary election in 2020. Photo: Winson Wong
The High Court building in Admiralty. Photo: Nora Tam
Former district councillor Clarisse Yeung is among the 11 appellants seeking to clear their names after being jailed for conspiracy to commit subversion. Photo: Elson Li
Hong Kong courts

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

The chief justice helped secure public confidence in the judiciary and honoured judges’ security of tenure by requesting rather than demanding that the judge step down.

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.

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.

Visitors to the 2021 Hong Kong Brands and Products Shopping Expo pay electronically for goods. Photo: Winson Wong
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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Hong Kong lawmaker William Wong attends a handover anniversary event on Wednesday. Photo: Handout
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.

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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Chief Executive John Lee. Photo: May Tse
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.

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.

Illustration: Craig Stephens
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.

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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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’.

Tributes from current and former city officials poured in for the late jurist on Wednesday, just a day after he died. Photo: Handout
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.

A general view of the Office for Safeguarding National Security at Tin Hau, taken on May 13, 2025. Photo: Sam Tsang
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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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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Correctional Services Department vehicles leave the West Kowloon Court after former media tycoon Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison for violating the national security law, on February 9. Photo: Eugene Lee
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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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.

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