The Basic Law (BL) is the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It enshrines within a legal document the important concepts of “One Country, Two Systems.” Under this principle, socialist policies of mainland China are not practiced in Hong Kong.

The Basic Law provides the guarantees to maintain Hong Kong’s existing way of life, including socioeconomic development, the rights and duties of Hong Kong people, the rule of law and other areas.

The Basic Law was put into effect July 1, 1997. 

Q1: Do Hong Kong residents have the right to vote and to stand for election?

A1: Permanent residents of Hong Kong have the right to vote and stand for elections in accordance with the Basic Law. The fourth Legislative Council of the HKSAR was   elected on September 7, 2008. 201 candidates stood for the election. A total of 1.52   million geographical constituency voters turned out to vote, representing 45.2% of      registered voters in the geographical constituencies. 30 members were returned from five geographical constituencies, while the other 30 members were returned from 28 functional constituencies. (BL Article 26)

Q2: Has the HKSAR Government maintained complete control over fiscal and economic policies and safeguarded the free movement of goods, assets and capital?

A2: The HKSAR Government formulates its own economic policies; manages its finances independently; prepares its own budgets; issues its own freely convertible currency; practices an independent taxation system; keeps its low and simple tax regime; formulates on its own monetary and financial policies; safeguards the free flow of capital; maintains the status of a free port; pursues a policy of free trade and protects the free movement of goods, intangible assets and capital. (BL Articles 62; 106-119)