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Hong Kong Basic Law

Donald Trump pledged last month he would “100 per cent” get former media tycoon Jimmy Lai out of China. Photo: AP

Don’t threaten Hong Kong’s rule of law if you want close ties: Paul Lam

Justice minister weighs in on ‘absurd’ requests from Hong Kong-based US representatives and Donald Trump’s vow over jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai.

10 Nov 2024 - 4:06PMvideocam

Hong Kong ramps up efforts to boost status as legal hub with launch of academy

8 Nov 2024 - 9:49PM

Hong Kong’s legal system shows ‘strong resilience’ to threats: Beijing official

5 Nov 2024 - 4:35PM

Opinion | 3 ways Hong Kong can boost economic growth and development

The city should take advantage of ‘one country, two systems’ to boost economic growth through internationalisation, integration and innovation.

4 Nov 2024 - 9:27AMvideocam

Opinion | Keeping people on police bail for 5 years is an abuse of power

There is no justification for curbing the freedoms of thousands of young people who have not been found guilty of any offence following the 2019 unrest.

3 Nov 2024 - 4:30PMvideocam

No penalties in national security law guidelines for Hong Kong civil servants

Secretary for Security Chris Tang says the point of the guidelines is to aid colleagues in executing their jobs.

28 Oct 2024 - 9:05PM

Teaching Hong Kong’s rule of law and fostering patriotism are ‘inseparable’: minister

Understanding the Basic Law and China’s constitution provides historical context of city’s transition from British to Chinese rule, Paul Lam says.

26 Oct 2024 - 10:56PM

Young people participate in a flag-raising ceremony in Sha Tin. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong inmate denied early release under security law ‘treated unfairly’

Adam Ma’s lawyers argue in court that Correctional Services Department failed to provide timely reasons in support of decision.

22 Oct 2024 - 9:03PM

Editorial | Opportunity docks for Hong Kong in provision of maritime services

The city cannot hope to compete with China ports on cargo handling, but it leads in terms of legal, logistical and professional know-how.

11 Oct 2024 - 6:15AM

West must stop putting ‘inappropriate pressure’ on Hong Kong’s foreign judges

Deputy justice secretary issues call after Nicholas Addison Phillips becomes fifth foreign justice to leave city’s top court this year.

5 Oct 2024 - 8:13PM

Hong Kong, the only common law jurisdiction in China, is permitted to recruit judges from elsewhere under the Basic Law, the city’s mini-constitution. Photo: Jelly Tse

Editorial | Spare no effort in strengthening Hong Kong’s pool of foreign judges

Despite recent departures, the city government has rightly expressed its determination to stand by a key feature of city’s common law system.

5 Oct 2024 - 6:15AM

Geopolitical tensions over developments in Hong Kong have accelerated the rate at which the number of foreign judges has dwindled. Photo: Roy Issa

Hong Kong judges raise doubts over housing body’s stance on LGBTQ couples’ rights

Housing Authority counsel argues Basic Law designed to grant social welfare benefits to heterosexual partners.

5 Oct 2024 - 10:17AM

Another foreign judge at Hong Kong’s top court steps down for ‘personal reasons’

Nicholas Addison Phillips, 86, is fifth foreign judge to leave city’s top court this year.

5 Oct 2024 - 10:12PM

Opinion | Why is the US trying to kill off Hong Kong’s trade autonomy?

Hong Kong’s capitalist system depends on its ability to exercise its trade and economic freedoms enshrined in the Basic Law. The city must defend them.

24 Sep 2024 - 8:30PM

US, EU raise alarm over China’s ‘very substantial’ help to Russia in Ukraine war

Beijing’s ‘significant’ exports said to be used on battlefield and given in exchange for Kremlin’s sensitive military technologies.

12 Sep 2024 - 11:00PMvideocam

Ukrainian rescuers try to extinguish a fire following a missile attack in the city of Lviv last week. Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and the two countries have been at war ever since. Photo: AFP

Beijing tells US to drop bill to close Hong Kong offices or face countermeasures

Chinese embassy issues warning after legislation advances through Congress targeting city’s three trade offices in US.

11 Sep 2024 - 11:02PM

Hong Kong social worker code of conduct ‘to have national security provisions’

Social Workers Registration Board chairman announces extra provisions to tackle national security offenders, months after watchdog’s shake-up.

7 Sep 2024 - 6:45PM

US warns of ‘new and heightened risks’ in Hong Kong due to security laws

The multi-agency Hong Kong Business Advisory said that a security ordinance passed in March could affect businesses and individuals operating in the city.

7 Sep 2024 - 6:05AMvideocam

A wanted poster of fugitive activist Nathan Law Kwun-chung, whose passport was cancelled under the city’s domestic national security law. The US has warned that Hong Kong’s new security ordinance increases risks to businesses and individuals operating there. Photo: Sam Tsang

Opinion | Deng Xiaoping and the Tibet factor in ‘one country, two systems’

With hindsight, the one country, two systems framework bears a certain resemblance to a Qianlong policy Deng and others studied in 1957.

4 Sep 2024 - 10:20AMvideocam

Hong Kong politics and high costs hit overseas business confidence: survey

German Chamber of Commerce survey finds problems include wariness at headquarters back home over effects of domestic national security law.

27 Aug 2024 - 7:40PM

Hong Kong indigenous villager files judicial challenge against city bid on land

Lam Kwok-lung, 29, files application to quash government’s order to reclaim ancestral land for Northern Metropolis development.

26 Aug 2024 - 9:04PM

The Hung Shui Kiu area in Northern Territories, some of which includes tso/tong land. Photo: Winson Wong

Deng Xiaoping’s one country, two systems path for Hong Kong – a work in progress

Hong Kong analysts and experts discuss how Deng Xiaoping’s policy approach to the city has changed amid protests, pandemics and economic changes.

26 Aug 2024 - 11:41AMvideocam

Opinion | Why equating Jimmy Lai’s failed appeal to broken rule of law is false

Those who pander to a particular political audience in accusing Hong Kong of giving up on the rule of law are, after all, only politicians.

20 Aug 2024 - 10:14AMvideocam

Hong Kong school religion classes to have responsibility to country, media content

Junior secondary pupils to be taught about responsibility to country, media objectivity and environment under new 217-page curriculum.

17 Aug 2024 - 10:33PM

Exclusive | Turkish diplomat calls for more flights between country and Hong Kong

Turkish Consul General Kerim Sercan Evcin highlights ‘huge potential’ for closer ties and increased trade between country and Hong Kong.

17 Aug 2024 - 10:31AM

The Turkish consul general in Hong Kong has called for closer ties between the city and his country, including its biggest city, Istanbul (pictured). Photo: Shutterstock

Editorial | Court ruling brings clarity and upholds Hong Kong’s legal system

Legal arguments based on UK court rulings are described by Court of Final Appeal as an attempt to adopt a “novel kind of constitutional challenge” in breach of established legal principles.

16 Aug 2024 - 6:15AM

Hong Kong’s top court has rejected a bid by ex-media tycoon Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and six former opposition lawmakers to quash convictions for taking part in an unauthorised 2019 assembly. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong government hits out at ex-governor Patten for criticising Lai ruling

Authorities condemn Chris Patten for remarks about British judge who dismissed appeal by media mogul over conviction for taking part in banned march.

15 Aug 2024 - 12:58AM

Tours of Hong Kong courtrooms no cause for objection

Hong Kong’s open courts have become tourist attractions for visitors from the mainland seeking to understand the common law legal system.

13 Aug 2024 - 6:30AM

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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.

last updated:

9 September, 2024