Hong Kong courts independent despite Beijing’s power to interpret Basic Law, top judge Kemal Bokhary says
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Beijing’s interpretation of the city’s mini-constitution might affect the judicial autonomy of local courts, but Hong Kong judges would always independently apply the law, top judge Kemal Bokhary said on Wednesday.
Speaking after a book launch on Wednesday, Bokhary said Beijing’s power to interpret the Basic Law was a problem for the “one country, two systems” principle, under which China governs Hong Kong. He called this power a “work in progress”, hinting that the exercise of that authority needed to be better clarified.
But he offered the public his assurance when asked about the perceived pressure from the central government on local courts.
“The very fact that there’s an interpretation [from Beijing] shows you that the court is independent,” Bokhary said.
