中华人民共和国香港特别行政区基本法 (1990年4月4日第七届全国人民代表大会第三次会议通过) 中华人民共和国主席令 第二十六号 《中华人民共和国香港特别行政区基本法》,包括附件一:《香港特别行政区 行政长官的产生办法》,附件二:《香港特别行政区立法会的产生办法和表决程序》, 附件三:《在香港特别行政区实施的全国性法律》,以及香港特别行政区区旗、区 徽图案,已由中华人民共和国第七届全国人民代表大会第三次会议于1990年4 月4日通过,现予公布,自1990年7月1日起实施。 中华人民共和国主席 杨尚昆 1990年4月4日 目 录 序 言第一章 总 则第二章 中央和香港特别行政区的关系第三章 居民的 基本权利和义务第四章 政治体制 第一节 行政长官 第二节 行政机关 第三节 立法机关 第四节 司法机关 第五节 区域组织 第六节 公务人员第五章 经 济 第一节 财政、金融、贸易和工商业 第二节 土地契约 第三节 航 运 第四节 民用航空第六章 教育、科学、文化、体育、宗教、劳工和社会服务第 七章 对外事务第八章 本法的解释和修改第九章 附 则附件一 香港特别行政 区行政长官的产生办法附件二 香港特别行政区立法会的产生办法和表决程序附件 三 在香港特别行政区实施的全国性法律 序 言 香港自古以来就是中国的领土,一八四零年鸦片战争以后被英国占领。一九八 四年十二月十九日,中英两国政府签署了关于香港问题的联合声明,确认中华人民 共和国政府于一九九七年七月一日恢复对香港行使主权,从而实现了长期以来中国 人民收回香港的共同愿望。 为了维护国家的统一和领土完整,保持香港的繁荣和稳定,并考虑到香港的历 史和现实情况,国家决定,在对香港恢复行使主权时,根据中华人民共和国宪法第 三十一条的规定,设立香港特别行政区,并按照“一个国家,两种制度”的方针, 不在香港实行社会主义的制度和政策。国家对香港的基本方针政策,已由中国政府 在中英联合声明中予以阐明。 根据中华人民共和国宪法,全国人民代表大会特制定中华人民共和国香港特别 行政区基本法,规定香港特别行政区实行的制度,以保障国家对香港的基本方针政 策的实施。 第一章 总 则 第一条 香港特别行政区是中华人民共和国不可分离的部分。 第二条 全国人民代表大会授权香港特别行政区依照本法的规定实行高度自治, 享有行政管理权、立法权、独立的司法权和终审权。 第三条 香港特别行政区的行政机关和立法机关由香港永久性居民依照本法有 关规定组成。 第四条 香港特别行政区依法保障香港特别行政区居民和其他人的权利和自由。 第五条 香港特别行政区不实行社会主义制度和政策,保持原有的资本主义制 度和生活方式,五十年不变。 第六条 香港特别行政区依法保护私有财产权。 第七条 香港特别行政区境内的土地和自然资源属于国家所有,由香港特别行 政区政府负责管理、使用、开发、出租或批给个人、法人或团体使用或开发,其收 入全归香港特别行政区政府支配。 第八条 香港原有法律,即普通法、衡平法、条例、附属立法和习惯法,除同 本法相抵触或经香港特别行政区的立法机关作出修改者外,予以保留。 第九条 香港特别行政区的行政机关、立法机关和司法机关,除使用中文外, 还可使用英文,英文也是正式语文。 第十条 香港特别行政区除悬挂中华人民共和国国旗和国徽外,还可使用香港 特别行政区区旗和区徽。 香港特别行政区的区旗是五星花蕊的紫荆花红旗。 香港特别行政区的区徽,中间是五星花蕊的紫荆花,周围写有“中华人民共和 国香港特别行政区”和英文“香港”。 第十一条 根据中华人民共和国宪法第三十一条,香港特别行政区的制度和政 策,包括社会、经济制度,有关保障居民的基本权利和自由的制度,行政管理、立 法和司法方面的制度,以及有关政策,均以本法的规定为依据。 香港特别行政区立法机关制定的任何法律,均不得同本法相抵触。 第二章 中央和香港特别行政区的关系 第十二条 香港特别行政区是中华人民共和国的一个享有高度自治权的地方行 政区域,直辖于中央人民政府。 第十三条 中央人民政府负责管理与香港特别行政区有关的外交事务。 中华人民共和国外交部在香港设立机构处理外交事务。 中央人民政府授权香港特别行政区依照本法自行处理有关的对外事务。 第十四条 中央人民政府负责管理香港特别行政区的防务。 香港特别行政区政府负责维持香港特别行政区的社会治安。 中央人民政府派驻香港特别行政区负责防务的军队不干预香港特别行政区的地 方事务。香港特别行政区政府在必要时,可向中央人民政府请求驻军协助维持社会 治安和救助灾害。 驻军人员除须遵守全国性的法律外,还须遵守香港特别行政区的法律。 驻军费用由中央人民政府负担。 第十五条 中央人民政府依照本法第四章的规定任命香港特别行政区行政长官 和行政机关的主要官员。 第十六条 香港特别行政区享有行政管理权,依照本法的有关规定自行处理香 港特别行政区的行政事务。 第十七条 香港特别行政区享有立法权。 香港特别行政区的立法机关制定的法律须报全国人民代表大会常务委员会备案。 备案不影响该法律的生效。 全国人民代表大会常务委员会在征询其所属的香港特别行政区基本法委员会后, 如认为香港特别行政区立法机关制定的任何法律不符合本法关于中央管理的事务及 中央和香港特别行政区的关系的条款,可将有关法律发回,但不作修改。经全国人 民代表大会常务委员会发回的法律立即失效。该法律的失效,除香港特别行政区的 法律另有规定外,无溯及力。 第十八条 在香港特别行政区实行的法律为本法以及本法第八条规定的香港原 有法律和香港特别行政区立法机关制定的法律。 全国性法律除列于本法附件三者外,不在香港特别行政区实施。凡列于本法附 件三之法律,由香港特别行政区在当地公布或立法实施。 全国人民代表大会常务委员会在征询其所属的香港特别行政区基本法委员会和 香港特别行政区政府的意见后,可对列于本法附件三的法律作出增减,任何列入附 件三的法律,限于有关国防、外交和其他按本法规定不属于香港特别行政区自治范 围的法律。 全国人民代表大会常务委员会决定宣布战争状态或因香港特别行政区内发生香 港特别行政区政府不能控制的危及国家统一或安全的动乱而决定香港特别行政区进 入紧急状态,中央人民政府可发布命令将有关全国性法律在香港特别行政区实施。 第十九条 香港特别行政区享有独立的司法权和终审权。 香港特别行政区法院除继续保持香港原有法律制度和原则对法院审判权所作的 限制外,对香港特别行政区所有的案件均有审判权。 香港特别行政区法院对国防、外交等国家行为无管辖权。香港特别行政区法院 在审理案件中遇有涉及国防、外交等国家行为的事实问题,应取得行政长官就该等 问题发出的证明文件,上述文件对法院有约束力。行政长官在发出证明文件前,须 取得中央人民政府的证明书。 第二十条 香港特别行政区可享有全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务 委员会及中央人民政府授予的其他权力。 第二十一条 香港特别行政区居民中的中国公民依法参与国家事务的管理。 根据全国人民代表大会确定的名额和代表产生办法,由香港特别行政区居民中 的中国公民在香港选出香港特别行政区的全国人民代表大会代表,参加最高国家权 力机关的工作。 第二十二条 中央人民政府所属各部门、各省、自治区、直辖市均不得干预香 港特别行政区根据本法自行管理的事务。 中央各部门、各省、自治区、直辖市如需在香港特别行政区设立机构,须征得 香港特别行政区政府同意并经中央人民政府批准。 中央各部门、各省、自治区、直辖市在香港特别行政区设立的一切机构及其人 员均须遵守香港特别行政区的法律。 中国其他地区的人进入香港特别行政区须办理批准手续,其中进入香港特别行 政区定居的人数由中央人民政府主管部门征求香港特别行政区政府的意见后确定。 香港特别行政区可在北京设立办事机构。 第二十三条 香港特别行政区应自行立法禁止任何叛国、分裂国家、煽动叛乱、 颠覆中央人民政府及窃取国家机密的行为,禁止外国的政治性组织或团体在香港特 别行政区进行政治活动,禁止香港特别行政区的政治性组织或团体与外国的政治性 组织或团体建立联系。 第三章 居民的基本权利和义务 第二十四条 香港特别行政区居民,简称香港居民,包括永久居民和非永久性 民民。 香港特别行政区永久性居民为: (一)在香港特别行政区成立以前或以后在香港出生的中国公民; (二)在香港特别行政区成立以前或以后在香港通常居住连续七年以上的中国 公民; (三)第(一)、(二)两项所列居民在香港以外所生的中国籍子女; (四)在香港特别行政区成立以前或以后持有效旅行证件进入香港、在香港通 常居住连续七年以上并以香港为永久居住地的非中国籍的人; (五)在香港特别行政区成立以前或以后第(四)项所列居民在香港所生的未 满二十一周岁的子女; (六)第(一)至(五)项所列居民以外在香港特别行政区成立以前只在香港 有居留权的人。 以上居民在香港特别行政区享有居留权和有资格依照香港特别行政区法律取得 载明其居留权的永久性居民身份证。 香港特别行政区非永久性居民为:有资格依照香港特别行政区法律取得香港居 民身份证,但没有居留权的人。 第二十五条 香港居民在法律面前一律平等。 第二十六条 香港特别行政区永久性居民依法享有选举权和被选举权。 第二十七条 香港居民享有言论、新闻、出版的自由,结社、集会、游行、示 威的自由,组织和参加工会、罢工的权利和自由。 第二十八条 香港居民的人身自由不受侵犯。 香港居民不受任意或非法逮捕、拘留、监禁。禁止任意或非法搜查居民的身体、 剥夺或限制居民的人身自由。禁止对居民施行酷行、任意或非法剥夺居民的生命。 第二十九条 香港居民的住宅和其他房屋不受侵犯。禁止任意或非法搜查、侵 入居民的住宅和其他房屋。 第三十条 香港居民的通讯自由和通讯秘密受法律的保护。除因公共安全和追 查刑事犯罪的需要,由有关机关依照法律程序对通讯进行检查外,任何部门或个人 不得以任何理由侵犯居民的通讯自由和通讯秘密。 第三十一条 香港居民有在香港特别行政区境内迁徙的自由,有移居其他国家 和地区的自由。香港居民有旅行和出入境的自由。有效旅行证件的持有人,除非受 到法律制止,可自由离开香港特别行政区,无需特别批准。 第三十二条 香港居民有信仰的自由。 香港居民有宗教信仰的自由,有公开传教和举行、参加宗教活动的自由。 第三十三条 香港居民有选择职业的自由。 第三十四条 香港居民有进行学术研究、文学艺术创作和其他文化活动的自由。 第三十五条 香港居民有权得到秘密法律咨询、向法院提起诉讼、选择律师及 时保护自己的合法权益或在法庭上为其代理和获得司法补救。 香港居民有权对行政部门和行政人员的行为向法院提起诉讼。 第三十六条 香港居民有依法享受社会福利的权利。劳工的福利待遇和退休保 障受法律保护。 第三十七条 香港居民的婚姻自由和自愿生育的权利受法律保护。 第三十八条 香港居民享有香港特别行政区法律保障的其他权利和自由。 第三十九条 《公民权利和政治权力国际公约》、《经济、社会与文化权利的 国际公约》和国际劳工公约适用于香港的有关规定继续有效,通过香港特别行政区 的法律予以实施。 香港居民享有的权利和自由,除依法规定外不得限制,此种限制不得与本条第 一款规定抵触。 第四十条 “新界”原居民的合法传统权益受香港特别行政区的保护。 第四十一条 在香港特别行政区境内的香港居民以外的其他人,依法享有本章 规定的香港居民的权利和自由。 第四十二条 香港居民和在香港的其他人有遵守香港特别行政区实行的法律的 义务。 第四章 政治体制 第一节 行政长官 第四十三条 香港特别行政区行政长官是香港特别行政区的首长,代表香港特 别行政区。 香港特别行政区行政长官依照本法的规定对中央人民政府和香港特别行政区负 责。 第四十四条 香港特别行政区行政长官由年满四十周岁,在香港通常居住连续 满二十年并在外国无居留权的香港特别行政区永久性居民中的中国公民担任。 第四十五条 香港特别行政区行政长官在当地通过选举或协商产生,由中央人 民政府任命。 行政长官的产生办法根据香港特别行政区的实际情况和循序渐进的原则而规定, 最终达至由一个有广泛代表性的提名委员会按民主程序提名后普选产生的目标。 行政长官产生的具体办法由附件一《香港特别行政区行政长官的产生办法》规 定。 第四十六条 香港特别行政区行政长官任期五年,可连任一次。 第四十七条 香港特别行政区行政长官必须廉洁奉公、尽忠职守。 行政长官就任时应向香港特别行政区终审法院首席法官申报财产,记录在案。 第四十八条 香港特别行政区行政长官行使下列职权: (一)领导香港特别行政区政府; (二)负责执行本法和依照本法适用于香港特别行政区的其他法律; (三)签署立法会通过的法案,公布法律; 签署立法会通过的财政预算案,将财政预算、决算报中央人民政府备案; (四)决定政府政策和发布行政命令; (五)提名并报请中央人民政府任命下列主要官员:各司司长、副司长,各局 局长,廉政专员,审计署署长,警务处处长,入境事务处处长,海关关长;建议中 央人民政府免除上述官员职务; (六)依照法定程序任免各级法院法官; (七)依照法定程序任免公职人员; (八)执行中央人民政府就本法规定的有关事务发出的指令; (九)代表香港特别行政区政府处理中央授权的对外事务和其他事务; (十)批准向立法会提出有关财政收入或支出的动议; (十一)根据安全和重大公共利益的考虑,决定政府官员或其他负责政府公务 的人员是否向立法会或其属下的委员会作证和提供证据; (十二)赦免或减轻刑事罪犯的刑罚; (十三)处理请愿,申诉事项。 第四十九条 香港特别行政区行政长官如认为立法会通过的法案不符合香港特 别行政区的整体利益,可在三个月内将法案发回立法会重议,立法会如以不少于全 体议员三分之二多数再次通过原案,行政长官必须在一个月内签署公布或按本法第 五十条的规定处理。 第五十条 香港特别行政区行政长官如拒绝签署立法会再次通过的法案或立法 会拒绝通过政府提出的财政预算案或其他重要法案,经协商仍不能取得一致意见, 行政长官可解散立法会。 行政长官在解散立法会前,须征询行政会议的意见。行政长官在其一任任期内 只能解散立法会一次。 第五十一条 香港特别行政区立法会如拒绝批准政府提出的财政预算案,行政 长官可向立法会申请临时拨款。如果由于立法会己被解散而不能批准拨款,行政长 官可在选出新的立法会前的一段时期内,按上一财政年度的开支标准,批准临时短 期拨款。 第五十二条 香港特别行政区行政长官如有下列情况之一者必须辞职: (一)因严重疾病或其他原因无力履行职务; (二)因两次拒绝签署立法会通过的法案而解散立法会,重选的立法会仍以全 体议员三分之二多数通过所争议的原案,而行政长官仍拒绝签署; (三)因立法会拒绝通过财政预算案或其他重要法案而解散立法会,重选的立 法会继续拒绝通过所争议的原案。 第五十三条 香港特别行政区行政长官短期不能履行职务时,由政务司长、财 政司长、律政司长依次临时代理其职务。 行政长官缺位时,应在六个月内依本法第四十五条的规定产生新的行政长官。 行政长官缺位期间的职务代理,依照上款规定办理。 第五十四条 香港特别行政区行政会议是协助行政长官决策的机构。 第五十五条 香港特别行政区行政会议的成员由行政长官从行政机关的主要官 员、立法会议员和社会人士中委任,其任免由行政长官决定。行政会议成员的任期 应不超过委任他的行政长官的任期。 香港特别行政区行政会议成员由在外国无居留权的香港特别行政区永久性居中 的中国公民担任。 行政长官认为必要时可邀请有关人士列席会议。 第五十六条 香港特别行政区行政会议由行政长官主持。 行政长官在作出重要决策、向立法会提交法案、制定附属法规和解散立法会前, 须征询行政会议的意见,但人事任免、纪律制裁和紧急情况下采取的措施除外。 行政长官如不采纳行政会议多数成员的意见,应将具体理由记录在案。 第五十七条 香港特别行政区设立廉政公署,独立工作,对行政长官负责。 第五十八条 香港特别行政区设立审计署,独立工作,对行政长官负责。 第二节 行政机关 第五十九条 香港特别行政区政府是香港特别行政区行政机关。 第六十条 香港特别行政区政府的首长是香港特别行政区行政长官。 香港特别行政区政府设政务司、财政司、律政司和各局、处、署。 第六十一条 香港特别行政区的主要官员由在香港通常居住连续满十五年并在 外国无居留权的香港特别行政区永久性居民中的中国公民担任。 第六十二条 香港特别行政区政府行使下列职权: (一)制定并执行政策; (二)管理各项行政事务; (三)办理本法规定的中央人民政府授权的对外事务; (四)编制并提出财政预算、决算; (五)拟定并提出法案、议案、附属法规; (六)委派官员列席立法会并代表政府发言。 第六十三条 香港特别行政区律政司主管刑事检察工作,不受任何干涉。 第六十四条 香港特别行政区政府必须遵守法律,对香港特别行政区立法会负 责:执行立法会通过并已生效的法律;定期向立法会作施政报告;答复立法会议员 的质询;征税和公共开支须经立法会批准。 第六十五条 原由行政机关设立咨询组织的制度继续保留。 第三节 立法机关 第六十六条 香港特别行政区立法会是香港特别行政区的立法机关。 第六十七条 香港特别行政区立法会由在外国无居留权的香港特别行政区永久 性居民中的中国公民组成。但非中国籍的香港特别行政区永久性居和在外国有居留 权的香港特别行政区永久性居民也可以当选为香港特别行政区立法会议员,其所占 比例不得超过立法会全体议员的百分之二十。 第六十八条 香港特别行政区立法会由选举产生。 立法会的产生办法根据香港特别行政区的实际情况和循序渐进的原则而规定, 最终达至全部议员由普选产生的目标。 立法会产生的具体办法和法案、议案的表决程序由附件二《香港特别行政区立 法会的产生办法和表决程序》规定。 第六十九条 香港特别行政区立法会除第一届任期为两年外,每届任期四年。 第七十条 香港特别行政区立法会如经行政长官依本法规定解散,须于三个月 内依本法第六十八条的规定,重行选举产生。 第七十一条 香港特别行政区立法会主席由立法会议员互选产生。 香港特别行政区立法会主席由年满四十周岁,在香港通常居住连续满二十年并 在外国无居留权的香港特别行政区永久性居民中的中国公民担任。 第七十二条 香港特别行政区立法会主席行使下列职权: (一)主持会议; (二)决定议程,政府提出的议案须优先列入议程; (三)决定开会时间; (四)在休会期间可召开特别会议; (五)应行政长官的要求召开紧急会议; (六)立法会议事规则所规定的其他职权。 第七十三条 香港特别行政区立法会行使下列职权: (一)根据本法规定并依照法定程序制定、修改和废除法律; (二)根据政府的提案,审核、通过财政预算; (三)批准税收和公共开支; (四)听取行政长官的施政报告并进行辩论; (五)对政府的工作提出质询; (六)就任何有关公共利益问题进行辨论; (七)同意终审法院法官和高等法院首席法官的任免; (八)接受香港居民申诉并作出处理; (九)如立法会全体议员的四分之一联合动议,指控行政长官有严重违法或渎 职行为而不辞职,经立法会通过进行调查,立法会可委托终审法院首席法官负责组 成独立的调查委员会,并担任主席。调查委员会负责进行调查,并向立法会提出报 告。如该调查委员会认为有足够证据构成上述指控,立法会以全体议员三分之二多 数通过,可提出弹劾案,报请中央人民政府决定。 (十)在行使上述各项职权时,如有需要,可传召有关人士出席作证和提供证 据。 第七十四条 香港特别行政区立法会议员根据本法规定并依照法定程序提出法 律草案,凡不涉及公共开支或政治体制或政府运作者,可由立法会议员个别或联名 提出。凡涉及政府政策者,在提出前必须得到行政长官的书面同意。 第七十五条 香港特别行政区立法会举行会议的法定人数为不少于全体议员的 二分之一。 立法会议事规则由立法会自行制定,但不得与本法相抵触。 第七十六条 香港特别行政区立法会通过的法案,须经行政长官签署、公布, 方能生效。 第七十七条 香港特别行政区立法会议员在立法会的会议上发言,不受法律追 究。 第七十八条 香港特别行政区立法会议员在出席会议时和赴会途中不受逮捕。 第七十九条 香港特别行政区立法会议员如有下列情况之一,由立法会主席宣 告其丧失立法会议员的资格: (一)因严重疾病或其他情况无力履行职务; (二)未得到立法会主席的同意,连续三个月不出席会议而无合理解释者; (三)丧失或放弃香港特别行政区永久性居民的身份; (四)接受政府的委任而出任公务人员; (五)破产或经法庭裁定偿还债务而不履行; (六)在香港特别行政区区内或区外被判犯有刑事罪行,判处监禁一个月以上, 并经立法会出席会议的议员三分之二通过解除其职务; (七)行为不检或违反誓言而经立法会出席会议的议员三分之二通过谴责。 第四节 司法机关 第八十条 香港特别行政区各级法院是香港特别行政区的司法机关,行使香港 特别行政区的审判权。 第八十一条 香港特别行政区设立终审法院、高等法院、区域法院、裁判署法 庭和其他专门法庭。高等法院设上诉法庭和原讼法庭。 原在香港实行的司法体制,除因设立香港特别行政区终审法院而产生变化外, 予以保留。 第八十二条 香港特别行政区的终审权属于香港特别行政区终审法院。终审法 院可根据需要邀请其他普通法适用地区的法官参加审判。 第八十三条 香港特别行政区各级法院的组织和职权由法律规定。 第八十四条 香港特别行政区法院依照本法第十八条所规定的适用于香港特别 行政区的法律审判案件,其他普通法适用地区的司法判例可作参考。 第八十五条 香港特别行政区法院独立进行审判,不受任何干涉,司法人员履 行审判职责的行为不受法律追究。 第八十六条 原在香港实行的陪审制度的原则予以保留。 第八十七条 香港特别行政区的刑事诉讼和民事诉讼中保留原在香港适用的原 则和当事人享有的权利。 任何人在被合法拘捕后,享有尽早接受司法机关公正审判的权利,未经司法机 关判罪之前均假定无罪。 第八十八条 香港特别行政区法院的法官,根据当地法官和法律界及其他方面 知名人士组成的独立委员会推荐,由行政长官任命。 第八十九条 香港特别行政区法院的法官只有在无力履行职责或行为不检的情 况下,行政长官才可根据终审法院首席法官任命的不少于三名当地法官组成的审议 庭的建议,予以免职。 香港特别行政区终审法院的首席法官只有在无力履行职责或行为不检的情况下, 行政长官才可任命不少于五名当地法官组成的审议庭进行审议,并可根据其建议, 依照本法规定的程序,予以免职。 第九十条 香港特别行政区终审法院和高等法院的首席法官,应由在外国无居 留权的香港特别行政区永久性居民中的中国公民担任。 除本法第八十八条和第八十九条规定的程序外,香港特别行政区终审法院的法 官和高等法院首席法官的任命或免职,还须由行政长官征得立法会同意,并报全国 人民代表大会常务委员会备案。 第九十一条 香港特别行政区法官以外的其他司法人员原有的任免制度继续保 持。 第九十二条 香港特别行政区的法官和其他司法人员,应根据其本人的司法和 专业才能选用,并可从其他普通法适用地区聘用。 第九十三条 香港特别行政区成立前在香港任职的法官和其他司法人员均可留 用,其年资予以保留,薪金、津贴、福利待遇和服务条件不低于原来的标准。 对退休或符合规定离职的法官和其他司法人员,包括香港特别行政区成立前已 退休或离职者,不论其所属国籍或居住地点,香港特别行政区政府按不低于原来的 标准,向他们或其家属支付应得的退休金、酬金、津贴和福利费。 第九十四条 香港特别行政区政府可参照原在香港实行的办法,作出有关当地 和外来的律师在香港特别行政区工作和执业的规定。 第九十五条 香港特别行政区可与全国其他地区的司法机关通过协商依法进行 司法方面的联系和相互提供协助。 第九十六条 在中央人民政府协助或授权下,香港特别行政区政府可与外国就 司法互助关系作出适当安排。 第五节 区域组织 第九十七条 香港特别行政区可设立非政权性的区域组织,接受香港特别行政 区政府就有关地区管理和其他事务的咨询,或负责提供文化、康乐、环境卫生等服 务。 第九十八条 区域组织的职权和组成方法由法律规定。 第六节 公务人员 第九十九条 在香港特别行政区政府各部门任职的公务人员必须是香港特别行 政区永久性居民。本法第一百零一条对外籍公务人员另有规定者或法律规定某一职 级以下者不在此限。 公务人员必须尽忠职守,对香港特别行政区政府负责。 第一百条 香港特别行政区成立前在香港政府各部门,包括警察部门任职的公 务人员均可留用,其年资予以保留,薪金、津贴、福利待遇和服务条件不低于原来 的标准。 第一百零一条 香港特别行政区政府可任用原香港公务人员中的或持有香港特 别行政区永久性居民身份证的英籍和其他外籍人士担任政府部门的各级公务人员, 但下列各职级的官员必须由在外国无居留权的香港特别行政区永久性居民中的中国 公民担任:各司司长、副司长,各局局长,廉政专员,审计署署长,警务处处长, 入境事务处处长,海关关长。 香港特别行政区政府还可聘请英籍和其他外籍人士担任政府部门的顾问,必要 时并可从香港特别行政区以外聘请合格人员担任政府部门的专门和技术职务。上述 外籍人士只能以个人身份受聘,对香港特别行政区政府负责。 第一百零二条 对退休或符合规定离职的公务人员,包括香港特别行政区成立 前退休或符合规定离职的公务人员,不论其所属国籍或居住地点,香港特别行政区 政府按不低于原来的标准向他们或其家属支付应得的退休金、酬金、津贴和福利费。 第一百零三条 公务人员应根据其本人的资格、经验和才能予以任用和提升, 香港原有关于公务人员的招聘、雇用、考核、纪律、培训和管理的制度,包括负责 公务人员的任用、薪金、服务条件的专门机构,除有关给予外籍人员特权待遇的规 定外,予以保留。 第一百零四条 香港特别行政区行政长官、主要官员、行政会议成员、立法会 议员、各级法院法官和其他司法人员在就职时必须依法宣誓拥护中华人民共和国香 港特别行政区基本法,效忠中华人民共和国香港特别行政区。 第五章 经 济 第一节 财政、金融、贸易和工商业 第一百零五条 香港特别行政区依法保护私人和法人财产的取得、使用、处置 和继承的权利,以及依法征用私人和法人财产时被征用财产的所有人得到补偿的权 利。 征用财产的补偿应相当于该财产当时的实际价值,可自由兑换,不得无故迟延 支付。 企业所有权和外来投资均受法律保护。 第一百零六条 香港特别行政区保持财政独立。 香港特别行政区的财政收入全部用于自身需要,不上缴中央人民政府。 中央人民政府不在香港特别行政区征税。 第一百零七条 香港特别行政区的财政预算以量入为出为原则,力求收支平衡, 避免赤字,并与本地生产总值的增长率相适应。 第一百零八条 香港特别行政区实行独立的税收制度。 香港特别行政区参照原在香港实行的低税政策,自行立法规定税种、税率、税 收宽免和其他税务事项。 第一百零九条 香港特别行政区政府提供适当的经济和法律环境,以保持香港 的国际金融中心地位。 第一百一十条 香港特别行政区的货币金融制度由法律规定。 香港特别行政区政府自行制定货币金融政策,保障金融企业和金融市场的经营 自由,并依法进行管理和监督。 第一百一十一条 港元为香港特别行政区法定货币,继续流通。 港币的发行权属于香港特别行政区政府。港币的发行须有百分之百的准备金。 港币的发行制度和准备金制度,由法律规定。 香港特别行政区政府,在确知港币的发行基础健全和发行安排符合保持港币稳 定的目的的条件下,可授权指定银行根据法定权限发行或继续发行港币。 第一百一十二条 香港特别行政区不实行外汇管制政策。港币自由兑换。继续 开放外汇、黄金、证券、期货等市场。 香港特别行政区政府保障资金的流动和进出自由。 第一百一十三条 香港特别行政区的外汇基金,由香港特别行政区政府管理和 支配,主要用于调节港元汇价。 第一百一十四条 香港特别行政区保持自由港地位,除法律另有规定外,不征 收关税。 第一百一十五条 香港特别行政区实行自由贸易政策,保障货物、无形财产和 资本的流动自由。 第一百一十六条 香港特别行政区为单独的关税地区。 香港特别行政区可以“中国香港”的名义参加《关税和贸易总协定》、关于国 际纺织品贸易安排等有关国际组织和国际贸易协定,包括优惠贸易安排。 香港特别行政区所取得的和以前取得仍继续有效的出口配额、关税优惠和达成 的其他类似安排,全由香港特别行政区享有。 第一百一十七条 香港特别行政区根据当时的产地规则,可对产品签发产地来 源证。 第一百一十八条 香港特别行政区政府提供经济和法律环境,鼓励各项投资、 技术进步并开发新兴产业。 第一百一十九条 香港特别行政区政府制定适当政策,促进和协调制造业、商 业、旅游业、房地产业、运输业、公用事业、服务性行业、渔农业等各行业的发展, 并注意环境保护。 第二节 土地契约 第一百二十条 香港特别行政区成立以前已批出、决定、或续期的超越一九九 七年六月三十日年期的所有土地契约和与土地契约有关的一切权利,均按香港特别 行政区的法律继续予以承认和保护。 第一百二十一条 从一九八五年五月二十七日至一九九七年六月三十日期间批 出的,或原没有续期权利而获得续期的,超出一九九七年六月三十日年期 而不超 过二零四七年六月三十日的一切土地契约,承租人从一九九七年七月一日起不补地 价,但需每年缴纳相当于当日该土地应课差饷租值百分之三的租金。此后,随应课 差饷租值的改变而调整租金。 第一百二十二条 原旧批约地段、乡村屋地、丁屋地和类似的农村土地,如该土 地在一九八四年六月三十日的承租人,或在该日以后批出的丁屋地承租人,其父系 为一八九八年在香港的原有乡村居民,只要该土地的承租人仍为该人或其合法父系 继承人,原定租金维持不变。 第一百二十三条 香港特别行政区成立以后满期而没有续期权利的土地契约, 由香港特别行政区自行制定法律和政策处理。 第三节 航 运 第一百二十四条 香港特别行政区保持原在香港实行的航运经营和管理体制, 包括有关海员的管理制度。 香港特别行政区政府自行规定在航运方面的具体职能和责任。 第一百二十五条 香港特别行政区经中央人民政府授权继续进行船舶登记,并 根据香港特别行政区的法律以“中国香港”的名义颁发有关证件。 第一百二十六条 除外国军用船只进入香港特别行政区须经中央人民政府特别 许可外,其他船舶可根据香港特别行政区法律进出其港口。 第一百二十七条 香港特别行政区的私营航运及与航运有关的企业和私营集装 箱码头,可继续自由经营。 第四节 民用航空 第一百二十八条 香港特别行政区政府应提供条件和采取措施,以保持香港的 国际和区域航空中心的地位。 第一百二十九条 香港特别行政区继续实行原在香港实行的民用航空管理制度, 并按中央人民政府关于飞机国籍标志和登记标志的规定,设置自己的飞机登记册。 外国国家航空器进入香港特别行政区须经中央人民政府特别许可。 第一百三十条 香港特别行政区自行负责民用航空的日常业务和技术管理,包 括机场管理,在香港特别行政区飞行情报区内提供空中交通服务,和履行国际民用 航空组织的区域性航行规划程序所规定的其他职责。 第一百三十一条 中央人民政府经同香港特别行政区政府磋商作出安排,为在 香港特别行政区注册并以香港为主要营业地的航空公司和中华人民共和国的其他航 空公司,提供香港特别行政区和中华人民共和国其他地区之间的往返航班。 第一百三十二条 凡涉及中华人民共和国其他地区同其他国家和地区的往返并 经停香港特别行政区的航班,和涉及香港特别行政区同其他国家和地区的往返并经 停中华人民共和国其他地区航班的民用航空运输协定,由中央人民政府签订。 中央人民政府在签订本条第一款所指民用航空运输协定时,应考虑香港特别行 政区的特殊情况和经济利益,并同香港特别行政区政府磋商。 中央人民政府在同外国政府商谈有关本条第一款所指航班的安排时,香港特别 行政区政府的代表可作为中华人民共和国政府代表团的成员参加。 第一百三十三条 香港特别行政区政府经中央人民政府具体授权可: (一)续签或修改原有的民用航空运输协定和协议; (二)谈判签订新的民用航空运输协定,为在香港特别行政区注册并以香港为 主要营业地的航空公司提供航线,以及过境和技术停降权利; (三)同没有签订民用航空运输协定的外国或地区谈判签订临时协议。 不涉及往返、经停中国内地而只往返、经停香港的定期航班,均由本条所指的 民用航空运输协定或临时协议予以规定。 第一百三十四条 中央人民政府授权香港特别行政区政府: (一)同其他当局商谈并签订有关执行本法第一百三十三条所指民用航空运输 协定和临时协议的各项安排; (二)对在香港特别行政区注册并以香港为主要营业地的航空公司签发执照; (三)依照本法第一百三十三条所指民用航空运输协定和临时协议指定航空公 司; (四)对外国航空公司除往返、经停中国内地的航班以外的其他航班签发许可 证。 第一百三十五条 香港特别行政区成立前在香港注册并以香港为主要营业地的 航空公司和与民用航空有关的行业,可继续经营。 第六章 教育、科学、文化、体育、宗教、劳工和社会服务 第一百三十六条 香港特别行政区政府在原有教育制度的基础上,自行制定有 关教育的发展和改进的政策,包括教育体制和管理、教学语言、经费分配、考试制 度、学位制度和承认学历等政策。 社会团体和私人可依法在香港特别行政区兴办各种教育事业。 第一百三十七条 各类院校均可保留其自主性并享有学术自由,可继续从香港 特别行政区以外招聘教职员和选用教材。宗教组织所办的学校可继续提供宗教教育, 包括开设宗教课程。 学生享有选择院校和在香港特别行政区以外求学的自由。 第一百三十八条 香港特别行政区政府自行制定发展中西医药和促进医疗卫生 服务的政策。社会团体和私人可依法提供各种医疗卫生服务。 第一百三十九条 香港特别行政区政府自行制定科学技术政策,以法律保护科 学技术的研究成果、专利和发明创造。 香港特别行政区政府自行确定适用于香港的各类科学、技术标准和规格。 第一百四十条 香港特别行政区政府自行制定文化政策,以法律保护作者在文 学艺术创作中所获得的成果和合法权益。 第一百四十一条 香港特别行政区政府不限制宗教信仰自由,不干预宗教组织 的内部事务,不限制与香港特别行政区法律没有抵触的宗教活动。 宗教组织依法享有财产的取得、使用、处置、继承以及接受资助的权利。财产 方面的原有权益仍予保持和保护。 宗教组织可按原有办法继续兴办宗教院校、其 他学校、医院和福利机构以及提供其他社会服务。 香港特别行政区的宗教组织和教徒可与其他地方的宗教组织和教徒保持和发展 关系。 第一百四十二条 香港特别行政区政府在保留原有的专业制度的基础上,自行 制定有关评审各种专业的执业资格的办法。 在香港特别行政区成立前已取得专业和执业资格者,可依据有关规定和专业守 则保留原有的资格。 香港特别行政区政府继续承认在特别行政区成立前已承认的专业和专业团体, 所承认的专业团体可自行审核和颁授专业资格。 香港特别行政区政府可根据社会发展需要并咨询有关方面的意见,承认新的专 业和专业团体。 第一百四十三条 香港特别行政区政府自行制定体育政策。民间体育团体可依 法继续存在和发展。 第一百四十四条 香港特别行政区政府保持原在香港实行的对教育、医疗卫生、 文化、艺术、康乐、体育、社会福利、社会工作等方面的民间团体机构的资助政策。 原在香港各资助机构任职的人员均可根据原有制度继续受聘。 第一百四十五条 香港特别行政区政府在原有社会福利制度的基础上,根据经 济条件和社会需要,自行制定其发展、改进的政策。 第一百四十六条 香港特别行政区从事社会服务的志愿团体在不抵触法律的情 况下可自行决定其服务方式。 第一百四十七条 香港特别行政区自行制定有关劳工的法律和政策。 第一百四十八条 香港特别行政区的教育、科学、技术、文化、艺术、体育、专 业、医疗卫生、劳工、社会福利、社会工作等方面的民间团体和宗教组织同内地相 应的团体和组织的关系,应以互不录属、互不干涉和互相尊重的原则为基础。 第一百四十九条 香港特别行政区的教育、科学、技术、文化、艺术、体育、专 业、医疗卫生、劳工、社会福利、社会工作等方面的民间团体和宗教组织可同世界 各国、各地区及国际的有关团体和组织保持和发展关系,各该团体和组织可根据需 要冠用“中国香港”的名义,参与有关活动。 第七章 对外事务 第一百五十条 香港特别行政区政府的代表,可作为中华人民共和国政府代表 团的成员,参加由中央人民政府进行的同香港特别行政区直接有关的外交谈判。 第一百五十一条 香港特别行政区可在经济、贸易、金融、航运、通讯、旅游、 文化、体育等领域以“中国香港”的名义,单独地同世界各国、各地区及有关国际 组织保持和发展关系,签订和履行有关协议。 第一百五十二条 对以国家为单位参加的、同香港特别行政区有关的、适当领 域的国际组织和国际会议,香港特别行政区政府可派遣代表作为中华人民共和国代 表团的成员或以中央人民政府和上述有关国际组织或国际会议允许的身份参加,并 以“中国香港”的名义发表意见。 香港特别行政区可以“中国香港”的名义参加不以国家为单位参加的国际组织 和国际会议。 对中华人民共和国已参加而香港也以某种形式参加了的国际组织,中央人民政 府将采取必要措施使香港特别行政区以适当形式继续保持在这些组织中的地位。 对中华人民共和国尚未参加而香港已以某种形式参加的国际组织,中央人民政 府将根据需要使香港特别行政区以适当形式继续参加这些组织。 第一百五十三条 中华人民共和国缔结的国际协议,中央人民政府可根据香港 特别行政区的情况和需要,在征询香港特别行政区政府的意见后,决定是否适用于 香港特别行政区。 中华人民共和国尚未参加但已适用于香港的国际协议仍可继续适用。中央人民 政府根据需要授权或协助香港特别行政区政府作出适当安排,使其他有关国际协议 适用于香港特别行政区。 第一百五十四条 中央人民政府授权香港特别行政区政府依照法律给持有香港 特别行政区永久性居民身份证的中国公民签发中华人民共和国香港特别行政区护照, 给在香港特别行政区的其他合法居留者签发中华人民共和国香港特别行政区的其他 旅行证件。上述护照和证件,前往各国和各地区有效,并载明持有人有返回香港特 别行政区的权利。 对世界各国或各地区的人入境、逗留和离境,香港特别行政区政府可实行出入 境管制。 第一百五十五条 中央人民政府协助或授权香港特别行政区政府与各国或各地 区缔结互免签证协议。 第一百五十六条 香港特别行政区可根据需要在外国设立官方或半官方的经济 和贸易机构,报中央人民政府备案。 第一百五十七条 外国在香港特别行政区设立领事机构或其他官方、关官方机 构,须经中央人民政府批准。 已同中华人民共和国建立正式外交关系的国家在香港设立的领事机构和其他官 方机构,可予保留。 尚未同中华人民共和国建立正式外交关系的国家在香港设立的领事机构和其他 官方机构,可根据情况允许保留或改为关官方机构。 尚未为中华人民共和国承认的国家,只能在香港特别行政区设立民间机构。 第八章 本法的解释和修改 第一百五十八条 本法的解释权属于全国人民代表大会常务委员会。 全国人民代表大会常委员会授权香港特别行政区法院在审理案件时对本法关于 香港特别行政区自治范围内的条款自行解释。 香港特别行政区法院在审理案件时对本法的其他条款也可解释。但如香港特别 行政区法院在审理案件时需要对本法关于中央人民政府管理的事务或中央和香港特 别行政区关系的条款进行解释,而该条款的解释又影响到案件的判决,在对该案件 作出不可上诉的终局判决前,应由香港特别行政区终审法院请全国人民代表大会常 务委员会对有关条款作出解释。如全国人民代表大会常务委员会作出解释,香港特 别行政区法院在引用该条款时,应以全国人民代表大会常务委员会的解释为准。但 在此以前作出的判决不受影响。 全国人民代表大会常务委员会在对本法进行解释前,征询其所属的香港特别行 政区基本法委员会的意见。 第一百五十九条 本法的修改权属于全国人民代表大会。 本法的修改提案权属于全国人民代表大会常务委员会、国务院和香港特别行政 区。香港特别行政区的修改议案,须经香港特别行政区的全国人民代表大会代表三 分之二多数、香港特别行政区立法会全体议员三分之二多数和香港特别行政区行政 长官同意后,交由香港特别行政区出席全国人民代表大会的代表团向全国人民代表 大会提出。 本法的修改议案在列入全国人民代表大会的议程前,先由香港特别行政区基本 法委员会研究并提出意见。 本法的任何修改,均不得同中华人民共和国对香港既定的基本方针政策相抵触。 第九章 附则 第一百六十条 香港特别行政区成立时,香港原有法律除由全国人民代表大会 常务委员会宣布为同本法抵触者外,采用为香港特别行政区法律,如以后发现有的 法律与本法抵触,可依照本法规定的程序修改或停止生效。 在香港原有法律下有效的文件、证件、契约和权利义务,在不抵触本法的前提 下继续有效,受香港特别行政区的承认和保护。 附件一:香港特别行政区行政长官的产生办法 一、行政长官由一个具有广泛代表性的选举委员会根据本法选出,由中央人民 政府任命。 二、选举委员会委员共800人,由下列各界人士组成: 工商、金融界 200人 专业界 200人 劳工、社会服务、宗教等界 200人 立法会议员、区域性组织代 表、香港地区全国人大代 表、香港地区全国政协委 员的代表 200人 选举委员会每届任期五年。 三、各个界别的划分,以及每个界别中何种组织可以产生选举委员的名额,由 香港特别行政区根据民主、开放的原则制定选举法加以规定。 各界别法定团体根据选举法规定的分配名额和选举办法自行选出选举委员会委 员。 选举委员以个人身份投票。 四、不少于一百名的选举委员可联合提名行政长官候选人。每名委员只可提出 一名候选人。 五、选举委员会根据提名的名单,经一人一票无记名投票选出行政长官候任人。 具体选举办法由选举法规定。 六、第一任行政长官按照《全国人民代表大会关于香港特别行政区第一届政府 和立法会产生办法的决定》产生。 七、二00七年以后各任行政长官的产生办法如需修改,须经立法会全体议员 三分之二多数通过,行政长官同意,并报全国人民代表大会常务委员会批准。 附件二:香港特别行政区立法会的产生办法和表决程序 一、立法会的产生办法 (一)香港特别行政区立法会议员每届60人,第一届立法会按照《全国人民 代表大会关于香港特别行政区第一届政府和立法会产生办法的决定》产生。第二届、 第三届立法会的组成如下: 第二届 功能团体选举的议员 30人 选举委员会选举的议员 6人 分区直接选举的议员 24人 第三届 功能团体选举的议员 30人 分区直接选举的议员 30人 (二)除第一届立法会外,上述选举委员会即本法附件一规定的选举委员会。 上述分区直接选举的选区划分、投票办法,各个功能界别和法定团体的划分、议员 名额的分配、选举办法及选举委员会选举议员的办法,由香港特别行政区政府提出 并经立法会通过的选举法加以规定。 二、立法会对法案、议案的表决程序 除本法另有规定外,香港特别行政区立法会对法案和议案的表决采取下列程序: 政府提出的法案,如获得出席会议的全体议员的过半数票,即为通过。 立法会议员个人提出的议案、法案和对政府法案的修正案均须分别经功能团体 选举产生的议员和分区直接选举、选举委员会选举产生的议员两部分出席会议议员 各过半数通过。 三、二00七年以后立法会的产生办法和表决程序 二00七年以后香港特别行政区立法会的产生办法和法案、议案的表决程序, 如需对本附件的规定进行修改,须经立法会全体议员三分之二多数通过,行政长官 同意,并报全国人民代表大会常务委员会备案。 附件三:在香港特别行政区实施的全国性法律 下列全国性法律,自一九九七年七月一日起由香港特别行政区在当地公布或立 法实施。 一、《关于中华人民共和国国都、纪年、国歌、国旗的决议》 二、《关于中华人民共和国国庆日的决议》 三、《中央人民政府公布中华人民共和国国徽的命令》附:国徽图案、说明、 使用办法 四、《中华人民共和国政府关于领海的声明》 五、《中华人民共和国国籍法》 六、《中华人民共和国外交特权与豁免条例》 THE BASIC LAW OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OFTHE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA Important Notice: (注意事项) 英文本源自中华人民共和国务院法制局编译, 中国法制出版社出版的《中华人 民共和国涉外法规汇编》(1991年7月版). 当发生歧意时, 应以法律法规颁布单位发布的中文原文为准.This English document is coming from "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THEPEOPLE'S REPU BLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the StateCouncil o f the People's Republic of China, and is published by the ChinaLegal S ystem Publishing House.In case of discrepancy, the original version in C hinese shall prevail. Whole Document (法规全文) THE BASIC LAW OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OFTH E PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA(Adopted at the Third Session of the Seven th National People'sCongress on April 4, 1990, promulgated by Order No. 26 of the President ofthe People's Republic of China on April 4, 1990, and effective as of July1, 1997) Preamble Hong Kong has been part of the territory of China since ancient time s; itwas occupied by Britain after the Opium War in 1840. On 19 Decembe r 1984,the Chinese and British Governments signed the Joint Declaratio n on theQuestion of Hong Kong, affirming that the Government of t he People'sRepublic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty ov er Hong Kongwith effect from 1 July 1997, thus fulfilling the long-c herished commonaspiration of the Chinese people for the recovery of Hon g Kong. Upholdingnational unity and territorial integrity, maintaining the prosperity andstability of Hong Kong, and taking account of its hi story and realities,the People's Republic of China has decided that up on China's resumption ofthe exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, a Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region will be established in accordance with theprovisions of Article 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republic ofChina, and that under the principle of "one country, two systems," thesocialist system and policies will not be practised in Hong Kong. Thebasic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong havebeen elaborated by the Chinese Gov ernment in the Sino-British JointDeclaration.In accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, theNational People's Con gress hereby enacts the Basic Law of the Hong KongSpecial Administra tive Region of the People's Republic of China,prescribing the systems to be practised in the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region, in order to ensure the implementation of the basicpolicies of t he People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong. Chapter I General Principles Article 1The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienab le part of thepeople's Republic of China.Article 2The National People 's Congress authorizes the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Regi on to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoyexecutive, legisl ative and independent judicial power, including that offinal adjudicat ion, in accordance with the provisions of this Law.Article 3The executiv e authorities and legislature of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministra tive Region shall be composed of permanent residents of HongKong in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law.Article 4The Hong Ko ng Special Administrative Region shall safeguard the rights andfreedoms of the residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regionand of other persons in the Region in accordance with law.Article 5The socialis t system and policies shall not be practised in the Hong KongSpecial Ad ministrative Region, and the previous capitalist system and wayof life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.Article 6The Hong Kong Special Admin istrative Region shall protect the right ofprivate ownership of prop erty in accordance with law.Article 7The land and natural resources with in the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion shall be State property. T he Government of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region shall be responsible for their management, use anddevelopment and for their lea se or grant to individuals, legal persons ororganizations for use or de velopment. The revenues derived therefrom shallbe exclusively at the dis posal of the government of the Region.Article 8The laws previously in fo rce in Hong Kong, that is, the common law, rulesof equity, ordinances, subordinate legislation and customary law shall bemaintained, except fo r any that contravene this Law, and subject to anyamendment by the le gislature of the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion.Article 9I n addition to the Chinese language, English may also be used as a nofficial language by the executive authorities, legislature and judici aryof the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 10Apart from displaying the national flag and national emblem of thePeople's Republic of China, the Hong Kong Special Admi nistrative Regionmay also use a regional flag and regional emblem.The r egional flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a redfla g with a bauhinia highlighted by five star-tipped stamens.The regional e mblem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is abauhinia in the centre highlighted by five star-tipped stamens andencircled by the words "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of thePeople's Republic of China" in Chinese and "HONG KONG" in English.Article 11In a ccordance with Article 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republicof China, the systems and policies practised in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, including the social and economic systems, t hesystem for safeguarding the fundamental rights and freedoms of itsresidents, the executive, legislative and judicial systems, an d therelevant policies, shall be based on the provisions of this Law.No law enacted by the legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall contravene this Law. Chapter II Relationship Between the Central Authorities and the Ho ng Kong Special Administrative Region Article 12The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be a localadministrative region of the People's Republic of China, which shall enjoya high degree of autonomy and come directly under th e Central People'sGovernment.Article 13The Central People's Government shall be responsible for the foreignaffairs relating to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of th e People's Republic of China shallestablish an office in Hong Kong to deal with foreign affairs.The Central People's Government authorize s the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region to conduct relevant e xternal affairs on its own inaccordance with this Law.Article 14The Ce ntral People's Government shall be responsible for the defence ofthe Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall beresponsible for the maintenanc e of public order in the Region.Military forces stationed by the Central People's Government in the HongKong Special Administrative Region for defence shall not interfere in thelocal affairs of the Region. The Go vernment of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region may, when necessary, ask the Central People'sGovernment for assistance from t he garrison in the maintenance of publicorder and in disaster relief.I n addition to abiding by national laws, members of the garrison shal labide by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.Expend iture for the garrison shall be borne by the Central People'sGove rnment.Article 15The Central People's Government shall appoint the Chief Executive and theprincipal officials of the executive authorities of t he Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region in accordance with the provis ions of Chapter IV ofthis Law.Article 16The Hong Kong Special Administ rative Region shall be vested with executivepower. It shall, on its own, conduct the administrative affairs of theRegion in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law. Article 17The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall b e vested withlegislative power. Laws enacted by the legislature o f the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region must be reported to the Standing Committeeof the National People's Congress for the record. Th e reporting for recordshall not affect the entry into force of such l aws. If the StandingCommittee of the National People's Congress, after consulting theCommittee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Sp ecial Administrative Regionunder it, considers that any law enacted by t he legislature of the Regionis not in conformity with the provisions of this Law regarding affairswithin the responsibility of the Central Authorities or regarding therelationship between the Central Author ities and the Region, the StandingCommittee may return the law in quest ion but shall not amend it. Any lawreturned by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress shallimmediately be invalidated. This invalidation shall not have retroactiveeffect, unless otherwise provid ed for in the laws of the Region. Article 18The laws in force in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall bethis Law, the laws previously in force in Hong Kong as provided for inArticle 8 of this Law, and the laws enacted by the legislature of theRegion.National laws shall not be applied in the Hon g Kong Special AdministrativeRegion except for those listed in Annex III to this Law. The laws listedtherein shall be applied locally by way o f promulgation or legislation bythe Region.The Standing Committee of th e National People's Congress may add to ordelete from the list of la ws in Annex III after consulting its Committeefor the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and thegovernment of the Regi on. Laws listed in Annex III to this Law shall beconfined to those re lating to defence and foreign affairs as well as othermatters outside th e limits of the autonomy of the Region as specified bythis Law.In the event that the Standing Committee of the National People's Congressdecid es to declare a state of war or, by reason of turmoil within the HongKon g Special Administrative Region which endangers national unity ors ecurity and is beyond the control of the government of the Region, decides that the Region is in a state of emergency, the Central People 'sGovernment may issue an order applying the relevant national laws in theRegion.Article 19The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region s hall be vested withindependent judicial power, including that of fin al adjudication.The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative R egion shall havejurisdiction over all cases in the Region, except that the restrictions ontheir jurisdiction imposed by the legal system and principles previouslyin force in Hong Kong shall be maintained. The co urts of the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region shall have no ju risdiction over acts ofstate such as defence and foreign affairs. The courts of the Region shallobtain a certificate from the Chief Exec utive on questions of factconcerning acts of state such as defence a nd foreign affairs whenever suchquestions arise in the adjudication of c ases. This certificate shall bebinding on the courts. Before issuin g such a certificate, the ChiefExecutive shall obtain a certifying document from the Central People'sGovernment. Article 20The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may enjoy othe r powers grantedto it by the National People's Congress, the Standing Committee of theNational People's Congress or the Central People's Gov ernment.Article 21Chinese citizens who are residents of the Hong Kong Sp ecial AdministrativeRegion shall be entitled to participate in the manag ement of state affairsaccording to law. In accordance with the assigned number of seats and theselection method specified by the National Peopl e's Congress, the Chinesecitizens among the residents of the Hong K ong Special AdministrativeRegion shall locally elect deputies of the R egion to the National People'sCongress to participate in the work of the highest organ of state power.Article 22No department of the Central People's Government and no province,autonomous region, or municipa lity directly under the Central Governmentmay interfere in the affairs which the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion administers on its own in accordance with this Law.If there is a need for departments of the Central Government, or forprovinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under theCentral Government to set up of fices in the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region, they must o btain the consent of the government ofthe Region and the approval of the Central People's Government. Alloffices set up in the Hon g Kong Special Administrative Region bydepartments of the Centra l Government, or by provinces, autonomousregions, or municipalities directly under the Central Government, and thepersonnel of these offic es shall abide by the laws of the Region.For entry into the Hong Kong Sp ecial Administrative Region, people fromother parts of China must app ly for approval. Among them, the number ofpersons who enter the Regio n for the purpose of settlement shall bedetermined by the compete nt authorities of the Central People's Governmentafter consulting the go vernment of the Region. The Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region may establish an office in Beijing.Article 23The Hong Kong Special Admi nistrative Region shall enact laws on its own toprohibit any act of trea son, secession, sedition, subversion against theCentral People's Gover nment, or theft of state secrets, to prohibitforeign political organizations or bodies from conducting politicalactivities in the Region, and to prohibit political organizations orbodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign politicalorganizations or bodies. Chapter III Fundamental Rights and Duties of the Residents Article 24Residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regi on ("Hong Kongresidents") shall include permanent residents and non-pe rmanent residents.The permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Ad ministrative Regionshall be:(1) Chinese citizens born in Hong Kong befo re or after the establishmentof the Hong Kong Special Administrative R egion;(2) Chinese citizens who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for acontinuous period of not less than seven years before or after theestablishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; (3) Persons of Chinese nationality born outside Hong Kong of tho seresidents listed in categories (1) and (2);(4) Persons not of Chinese nationality who have entered Hong Kong withvalid travel documents, have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for acontinuous period of no t less than seven years and have taken Hong Kong astheir place of perman ent residence before or after the establishment ofthe Hong Kong Speci al Administrative Region;(5) Persons under 21 years of age born in Hong Kong of those residentslisted in category (4) before or after the es tablishment of the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region; and(6) Perso ns other than those residents listed in categories (1) to (5),who, be fore the establishment of the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegio n, had the right of abode in Hong Kong only.The above-mentioned resident s shall have the right of abode in the HongKong Special Administrativ e Region and shall be qualified to obtain, inaccordance with the laws of the Region, permanent identity cards whichstate their right of a bode. The non-permanent residents of the Hong KongSpecial Administrati ve Region shall be persons who are qualified to obtainHong Kong identity cards in accordance with the laws of the Region buthave no right of abode.Article 25All Hong Kong residents shall be equal before the law.A rticle 26Permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Re gion shallhave the right to vote and the right to stand for election i n accordancewith law.Article 27Hong Kong residents shall have freedom o f speech, of the press and ofpublication; freedom of association, o f assembly, of procession and ofdemonstration; and the right and fre edom to form and join trade unions,and to strike. Article 28The freedom of the person of Hong Kong residents shall be inviolable.No Hong Kong resident shall be subjected to arbitrary or unla wful arrest,detention or imprisonment. Arbitrary or unlawful search of the body of anyresident or deprivation or restriction of the freedom of the person shallbe prohibited. Torture of any resident or arbitr ary or unlawfuldeprivation of the life of any resident shall be proh ibited.Article 29The homes and other premises of Hong Kong residents sha ll be inviolable.Arbitrary or unlawful search of, or intrusion into, a r esident's home orother premises shall be prohibited.Article 30The free dom and privacy of communication of Hong Kong residents shall beprotec ted by law. No department or individual may, on any grounds,infr inge upon the freedom and privacy of communication of residents exceptth at the relevant authorities may inspect communication in accordance with legal procedures to meet the needs of public security or of investigati oninto criminal offences.Article 31Hong Kong residents shall have freedo m of movement within the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region and f reedom of emigration to other countriesand regions. They shall have free dom to travel and to enter or leave theRegion. Unless restrained by la w, holders of valid travel documents shallbe free to leave the Region w ithout special authorization.Article 32Hong Kong residents shall have fr eedom of conscience.Hong Kong residents shall have freedom of religious belief and freedom topreach and to conduct and participate in religious activities in public.Article 33Hong Kong residents shall have freedom o f choice of occupation.Article 34Hong Kong residents shall have freedom to engage in academic research,literary and artistic creation, and o ther cultural activities.Article 35Hong Kong residents shall have the ri ght to confidential legal advice,access to the courts, choice of law yers for timely protection of theirlawful rights and interests or fo r representation in the courts, and tojudicial remedies.Hong Kong res idents shall have the right to institute legal proceedings inthe courts against the acts of the executive authorities and theirpersonnel. Article 36Hong Kong residents shall have the right to social welfare in accordancewith law. The welfare benefits and retirement security o f the labour forceshall be protected by law.Article 37The freedom of mar riage of Hong Kong residents and their right to raise afamily freely sh all be protected by law.Article 38Hong Kong residents shall enjoy the ot her rights and freedoms safeguardedby the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.Article 39The provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and PoliticalRights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and CulturalRights, and international labour co nventions as applied to Hong Kong shallremain in force and shall be impl emented through the laws of the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region.T he rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong residents shall not b erestricted unless as prescribed by law. Such restrictions shall notcontravene the provisions of the preceding paragraph of this Article. Article 40The lawful traditional rights and interests of the indigenous inhabitantsof the "New Territories" shall be protected by the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region.Article 41Persons in the Hong Kong S pecial Administrative Region other than HongKong residents shall, i n accordance with law, enjoy the rights andfreedoms of Hong Kong residents prescribed in this Chapter.Article 42Hong Kong residents and other persons in Hong Kong shall have theobligation to abide by the laws in force in the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region. Chapter IV Political Structure Section 1: The Chief ExecutiveArticle 43The Chief Executive of the H ong Kong Special Administrative Region shallbe the head of the Hong K ong Special Administrative Region and shallrepresent the Region. T he Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region shall be accountable to the Central People'sGovernment and the H ong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordancewith the provision s of this Law.Article 44The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Adm inistrative Region shallbe a Chinese citizen of not less than 40 years of age who is a permanentresident of the Region with no right of abod e in any foreign country andhas ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not lessthan 20 years.Article 45The Chief Execut ive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shallbe selected by election or through consultations held locally and beappointed by the Central People's Government.The method for selecting the Chief Exec utive shall be specified in thelight of the actual situation in the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion and in accordance with th e principle of gradual and orderlyprogress. The ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief Executive byuniversal suffrage upon nominat ion by a broadly representative nominatingcommittee in accordance with democratic procedures.The specific method for selecting the Chief Execu tive is prescribed inAnnex I "Method for the Selection of the Chief E xecutive of the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region".Article 46The t erm of office of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SpecialAdm inistrative Region shall be five years. He or she may serve for notm ore than two consecutive terms.Article 47The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must bea person of integrity, dedica ted to his or her duties.The Chief Executive, on assuming office, shall declare his or her assetsto the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Ap peal of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region. This declaration sh all be put on record. Article 48The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrativ e Region shallexercise the following powers and functions:(1) To lead the government of the Region;(2) To be responsible for the implementatio n of this Law and other lawswhich, in accordance with this Law, ap ply in the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region;(3) To sign bills passed by the Legislative Council and to promulgatelaws; To sign b udgets passed by the Legislative Council and report thebudgets and f inal accounts to the Central People's Government for therecord;(4) To decide on government policies and to issue executive orders;(5) To no minate and to report to the Central People's Government forappoint ment the following principal officials: Secretaries and DeputySecre taries of Departments, Directors of Bureaux, Commissioner AgainstCor ruption, Director of Audit, Commissioner of Police, Director ofI mmigration and Commissioner of Customs and Excise; and to recommend t othe Central People's Government the removal of the above-mentio nedofficials;(6) To appoint or remove judges of the courts at all levels in accordancewith legal procedures;(7) To appoint or remove holders of public office in accordance with legalprocedures;(8) To implement the d irectives issued by the Central People's Governmentin respect of the re levant matters provided for in this Law;(9) To conduct, on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region, externa l affairs and other affairs as authorized bythe Central Authorities;(10) To approve the introduction of motions regarding revenues orex penditure to the Legislative Council;(11) To decide, in the light of s ecurity and vital public interests,whether government officials or o ther personnel in charge of governmentaffairs should testify or give evidence before the Legislative Council orits committees;(12) To pardon persons convicted of criminal offences or commute theirpenalties; a nd (13) To handle petitions and complaints. Article 49If the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Admini strative Regionconsiders that a bill passed by the Legislative Council is not compatiblewith the overall interests of the Region, he or she ma y return it to theLegislative Council within three months for rec onsideration. If theLegislative Council passes the original bill again by not less than a two-thirds majority of all the members, the Chief Executive must sign andpromulgate it within one month, or act in acco rdance with the provisionsof Article 50 of this Law.Article 50If the C hief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regionrefuse s to sign a bill passed the second time by the Legislative Council,or t he Legislative Council refuses to pass a budget or any other importantbi ll introduced by the government, and if consensus still cannot be reached after consultations, the Chief Executive may dissolve t heLegislative Council.The Chief Executive must consult the Executive Cou ncil before dissolvingthe Legislative Council. The Chief Executive may dissolve the LegislativeCouncil only once in each term of his or her o ffice. Article 51If the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Admini strative Regionrefuses to pass the budget introduced by the gover nment, the ChiefExecutive may apply to the Legislative Council for provisionalappropriations. If appropriation of public funds cannot be approvedbecause the Legislative Council has already been dissolved, the ChiefExecutive may, prior to the election of the new Legislative Council,approve provisional short-term appropriations according to the level ofexpenditure of the previous fiscal year.Arti cle 52The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regi on mustresign under any of the following circumstances:(1) When he or s he loses the ability to discharge his or her duties as aresult of seri ous illness or other reasons;(2) When, after the Legislative Council is dissolved because he or shetwice refuses to sign a bill passed by it, the new Legislative Councilagain passes by a two-thirds majority of all the members the original billin dispute, but he or she still refuse s to sign it; and(3) When, after the Legislative Council is dissolved be cause it refuses topass a budget or any other important bill, the new Legislative Councilstill refuses to pass the original bill in dispute. Article 53If the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region isnot able to discharge his or her duties for a short period, such dutiesshall temporarily be assumed by the Administrative Secre tary, FinancialSecretary or Secretary of Justice in this order of prece dence.In the event that the office of Chief Executive becomes vacant, a newChief executive shall be selected within six months in accordanc e with theprovisions of Article 45 of this Law. During the period of vac ancy, his orher duties shall be assumed according to the provisions of the precedingparagraph.Article 54The Executive council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shallbe an organ for assisting the Chief Executive in policy-making.Article 55Members of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion shall be appointed by the Chief Executive from among the principleofficials of the executive auth orities, members of the Legislative Counciland public figures. Their app ointment or removal shall be decided by theChief Executive. The term o f office of members of the Executive Councilshall not extend beyond t he expiry of the term of office of the ChiefExecutive who appoints them.Members of the Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Adminis trativeRegion shall be Chinese citizens who are permanent residents of t he Regionwith no right of abode in any foreign country.The Chief Executi ve may, as he or she deems necessary, invite otherpersons concern ed to sit in on meetings of the Council. Article 56The Executive Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrat ive Region shallbe presided over by the Chief Executive.Except for the a ppointment, removal and disciplining of officials and theadoption of me asures in emergencies, the Chief Executive shall consult theExecutive Co uncil before making important policy decisions, introducingbills to t he Legislative Council, making subordinate legislation, ordissolvi ng the Legislative Council.If the Chief Executive does not accept a majo rity opinion of the ExecutiveCouncil, he or she shall put the specific r easons on record.Article 57A Commission Against Corruption shall be est ablished in the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region. It shall f unction independently and beaccountable to the Chief Executive.Articl e 58A Commission of Audit shall be established in the Hong Kong S pecialAdministrative Region. It shall function independently and be acc ountableto the Chief Executive. Section 2: the Executive AuthoritiesArticle 59The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be theexecutive authoritie s of the Region.Article 60The head of the Government of the Hong Kong Sp ecial Administrative Regionshall be the Chief Executive of the Region.A Department of Administration, a Department of Finance, a Department o fJustice, and various bureaux, divisions and commissions shall beestablished in the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administr ativeRegion.Article 61The principal officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regionshall be Chinese citizens who are permanent resi dents of the Region withno right of abode in any foreign country and h ave ordinarily resided inHong Kong for a continuous period of not les s than 15 years.Article 62The Government of the Hong Kong Special A dministrative Region shallexercise the following powers and functions: (1) To formulate and implement policies;(2) To conduct administrative af fairs;(3) To conduct external affairs as authorized by the Central People'sGovernment under this Law;(4) To draw up and introduce budgets a nd final accounts;(5) To draft and introduce bills, motions and subordin ate legislation; and(6) To designate officials to sit in on the meetings of the LegislativeCouncil and to speak on behalf of the government. Article 63The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Admini strative Regionshall control criminal prosecutions, free from any inter ference.Article 64The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must abideby the law and be accountable to the Legislative Cou ncil of the Region: itshall implement laws passed by the Council and alr eady in force; it shallpresent regular policy addresses to the Council; it shall answer questionsraised by members of the Council; and it shall obtain approval from theCouncil for taxation and public expenditure. Article 65The previous system of establishing advisory bodies by th e executiveauthorities shall be maintained. Section 3: The LegislatureArticle 66The Legislative Council of the H ong Kong Special Administrative Regionshall be the legislature of th e Region.Article 67The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special A dministrative Regionshall be composed of Chinese citizens who are perma nent residents of theRegion with no right of abode in any foreign coun try. However, permanentresidents of the Region who are not of Chinese nationality or who have theright of abode in foreign countries may also not of Chinese nationality orwho have the right of abode in foreign co untries may also be electedmembers of the Legislative Council of the Region, provided that theproportion of such members does not exceed 20 percent of the totalmembership of the Council.Article 68T he Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regio nshall be constituted by election.The method for forming the Legislative Council shall be specified in thelight of the actual situation in th e Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion and in accordance with t he principle of gradual and orderlyprogress. The ultimate aim is th e election of all the members of theLegislative Council by univers al suffrage.The specific method for forming the Legislative Council and its proceduresfor voting on bills and motions are prescribed in Annex II : "Method forthe Formation of the Legislative Council of the H ong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region and Its Voting Procedures". Article 69The term of office of the Legislative Council of the Hon g Kong SpecialAdministrative Region shall be four years, except the first term whichshall be two years.Article 70If the Legislative Counci l of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regionis dissolved by the Chi ef Executive in accordance with the provisions ofthis Law, it must, wi thin three months, be reconstituted by election inaccordance with Art icle 68 of this Law.Article 71The President of the Legislative Counc il of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region shall be elected b y and from among the members ofthe Legislative Council.The President of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrati ve Region shall be a Chinese citizen of not less than 40 yearsof age, wh o is a permanent resident of the Region with no right of abodein any f oreign country and has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for acontin uous period of not less than 20 years. Article 72The President of the Legislative Council of the Hon g Kong SpecialAdministrative Region shall exercise the following power s and functions:(1) To preside over meetings;(2) To decide on the agenda, giving priority to government bills forinclusion in the agenda;(3) To decide on the time of meetings;(4) To call special sessions during t he recess;(5) To call emergency sessions on the request of the Chief Exe cutive; and(6) To exercise other powers and functions as prescribed in t he rules ofprocedure of the Legislative Council. Article 73The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Admini strative Regionshall exercise the following powers and functions:(1) To enact, amend or repeal laws in accordance with the provisions ofthis Law and legal procedures;(2) To examine and approve budgets introduced by the government;(3) To approve taxation and public expenditure;(4) To receive and debate the policy addresses of the Chief Executive;(5) To ra ise questions on the work of the government;(6) To debate any issue conc erning public interests;(7) To endorse the appointment and removal of th e judges of the Court ofFinal Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High C ourt;(8) To receive and handle complaints from Hong Kong residents;(9) I f a motion initiated jointly by one-fourth of all the members of theLeg islative Council charges the Chief Executive with serious breach of lawo r dereliction of duty and if he or she refuses to resign, the Counci lmay, after passing a motion for investigation, give a mandate to the Ch iefJustice of the Court of Final Appeal to form and chair an indepe ndentinvestigation committee. The committee shall be responsible for c arryingout the investigation and reporting its findings to the Council. If thecommittee considers the evidence sufficient to substantiate suc h charges,the Council may pass a motion of impeachment by a two-thirds majority ofall its members and report it to the Central People's Government fordecision; and(10) To summon, as required when exercising the above-mentioned powers andfunctions, persons concerned to testify or give evidence. Article 74Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Specia l AdministrativeRegion may introduce bills in accordance with the provis ions of this Lawand legal procedures. Bills which do not relate to pu blic expenditure orpolitical structure or the operation of the governme nt may be introducedindividually or jointly by members of the Council. The written consent ofthe Chief Executive shall be required before bil ls relating to governmentpolicies are introduced.Article 75The quorum f or the meeting of the Legislative Council of the Hong KongSpecial Ad ministrative Region shall be not less than one half of all itsmembers. The rules of procedure of the Legislative Council shall be madeby the Council on its own, provided that they do not contravene this Law.Artic le 76A bill passed by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region may take effect only after it is si gned andpromulgated by the Chief Executive.Article 77Members of the Leg islative Council of the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion shall be immune from legal action in respect of their statements atmeetings of th e Council.Article 78Members of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion shall not be subjected to arrest when atten ding or on their way toa meeting of the Council. Article 79The President of the Legislative Council of the Hon g Kong SpecialAdministrative Region shall declare that a member of th e Council is nolonger qualified for the office under any of the follo wing circumstances:(1) When he or she loses the ability to discharge his or her duties as aresult of serious illness or other reasons;(2) When he or she, with no valid reason, is absent from meetings forthree consecutive months without the consent of the President of theLegi slative Council;(3) When he or she loses or renounces his or her status as a permanentresident of the Region;(4) When he or she accepts a go vernment appointment and becomes a publicservant;(5) When he or she is bankrupt or fails to comply with a court order torepay debts;(6) Whe n he or she is convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for onemonth or more for a criminal offence committed within or outside theReg ion and is relieved of his or her duties by a motion passed byt wo-thirds of the members of the Legislative Council present;and(7) When he or she is censured for misbehaviour or breach of oath by avote of two-thirds of the members of the Legislative Council present. Section 4: The JudiciaryArticle 80The courts of the Hong Kong Specia l Administrative Region at all levelsshall be the judiciary of the Re gion, exercising the judicial power of theRegion.Article 81The Court of Final Appeal, the High Court, district courts, magistrates'courts and other special courts shall be established in the Hong KongSpecial A dministrative Region. The High Court shall comprise the Court ofAppeal and the Court of First Instance. The judicial system previouslypract ised in Hong Kong Shall be maintained except for those changescon sequent upon the establishment of the Court of Final Appeal of the HongK ong Special Administrative Region.Article 82The power of final adjudicat ion of the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion shall be vested in the Court of Final Appeal of the Region, whichmay as required invite j udges from other common law jurisdictions to siton the Court of Final Appeal.Article 83The structure, powers and functions of the courts of th e Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region at all levels shall be prescrib ed by law.Article 84The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative R egion shall adjudicatecases in accordance with the laws applicable in th e Region as prescribedin Article 18 of this Law and may refer to prece dents of other common lawjurisdictions.Article 85The courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall exercisejudicial power indep endently, free from any interference. Members of thejudiciary shall be immune from legal action in the performance of theirjudicial functio ns.Article 86The principle of trial by jury previously practised in Hong Kong shall bemaintained.Article 87In criminal or civil proceedings in the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion, the principles previously applied in Hong Kong and the rightspreviously enjoyed by parties to proceedings shall be maintained.Anyone who is lawfully arrested shall h ave the right to a fair trial bythe judicial organs without delay and shall be presumed innocent untilconvicted by the judicial organs. Article 88Judges of the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrati ve Region shallbe appointed by the Chief Executive on the recom mendation of anindependent commission composed of local judges, perso ns from the legalprofession and eminent persons from other sectors.Ar ticle 89A judge of a court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regio n may onlybe removed for inability to discharge his or her duti es, or formisbehaviour, by the Chief Executive on the recommendation o f a tribunalappointed by the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appea l and consistingof not fewer than three local judges. The Chief Justice of the Court ofFinal Appeal of the Hong Kong Special Administrat ive Region may beinvestigated only for inability to discharge his or her duties, or formisbehaviour, by a tribunal appointed by the Chief Executive andconsisting of not fewer than five local judges a nd may be removed by theChief Executive on the recommendation of the t ribunal and in accordancewith the procedures prescribed in this Law.A rticle 90The Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Ju dge of theHigh Court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region sha ll be Chinesecitizens who are permanent residents of the Region with no right of abodein any foreign country. In the case of the appointment or removal ofjudges of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Courtof the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the C hief Executive shall,in addition to following the procedures prescribed in Articles 88 and 89of this Law, obtain the endorsement of the Legisl ative Council and reportsuch appointment or removal to the Standing C ommittee of the NationalPeople's Congress for the record.Article 91Th e Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall maintain the previous system of appointment and removal of members of the judiciary other th anjudges.Article 92Judges and other members of the judiciary of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region shall be chosen on the basis of their judicial andprofessional qualities and may be recruited from other common lawjurisdictions.Article 93Judges and other member s of the judiciary serving in Hong Kong before theestablishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may allremain in employmen t and retain their seniority with pay, allowances,benefits and cond itions of service no less favourable than before.The Government of the H ong Kong Special Administrative Region shall pay tojudges and other memb ers of the judiciary who retire or leave the servicein compliance with regulations, including those who have retired or leftthe service bef ore the establishment of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region, or to their dependants, all pensions, gratuities,allowances an d benefits due to them on terms no less favourable thanbefore, irr espective of their nationality or place of residence. Article 94On the basis of the system previously operating in Hong Kong, theGovernment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may makeprovisions for local lawyers and lawyers from outside Hong Kong to workand practise in the Region.Article 95The Hong Kong S pecial Administrative Region may, through consultations andin accordance with law, maintain juridical relations with the judicialorgans of o ther parts of the country, and they may render assistance toeach othe r.Article 96With the assistance or authorization of the Central People' s Government,the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative R egion may makeappropriate arrangements with foreign states for rec iprocal juridicalassistance. Section 5: District OrganizationsArticle 97District organizations wh ich are not organs of political power may beestablished in the H ong Kong Special Administrative Region, to beconsulted by the gove rnment of the Region on district administration andother affairs, or t o be responsible for providing services in such fieldsas culture, recre ation and environmental sanitation.Article 98The powers and functions of the district organizations and the method fortheir formation shall be prescribed by law. Section 6: Public ServantsArticle 99Public servants serving in all g overnment departments of the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region must be permanent residents of the Region,except where otherwise provi ded for in Article 101 of this Law regardingpublic servants of foreign nationalities and except for those below acertain rank as prescrib ed by law. Public servants must be dedicated totheir duties and be re sponsible to the Government of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Regio n.Article 100Public servants serving in all Hong Kong government departm ents, includingthe police department, before the establishment of the Ho ng Kong SpecialAdministrative Region, may all remain in employment and retain theirseniority with pay, allowances, benefits and conditio ns of service no lessfavourable than before. Article 101The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Re gion may employBritish and other foreign nationals previously servi ng in the publicservice in Hong Kong, or those holding permanent ide ntity cards of theRegion, to serve as public servants in governmen t departments at alllevels, but only Chinese citizens among permanent residents of the Regionwith no right of abode in any foreign country may fill the followingposts: the Secretaries and Deputy Secretaries of Departments, Directors ofBureaux, Commissioner Against Corruption, D irector of Audit, Commissionerof Police, Director of Immigration and Co mmissioner of Customs and Excise.The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may alsoemploy British and other foreign na tionals as advisers to governmentdepartments and, when required, ma y recruit qualified candidates fromoutside the Region to fill profes sional and technical posts in governmentdepartments. These foreign nati onals shall be employed only in theirindividual capacities and sha ll be responsible to the government of theRegion.Article 102The Gover nment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall pay topublic servants who retire or who leave the service in compliance withregul ations, including those who have retired or who have left the servicein compliance with regulations before the establishment of the Hong KongS pecial Administrative Region, or to their dependants, all pensions, gratuities, allowances and benefits due to them on terms no le ssfavourable than before, irrespective of their nationality or place ofresidence.Article 103The appointment and promotion of public servant s shall be on the basis oftheir qualifications, experience and ability. Hong Kong's previous systemof recruitment, employment, assessment, discipline, training andmanagement for the public service, inclu ding special bodies for theirappointment, pay and conditions of serv ice, shall be maintained, exceptfor any provisions for privileged tre atment of foreign nationals.Article 104When assuming office, the Chief E xecutive, principal officials, members ofthe Executive Council and of th e Legislative Council, judges of the courtsat all levels and other membe rs of the judiciary in the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region must, in accordance with law, swear to uphold theBasic Law of the Hong Kon g Special Administrative Region of the People'sRepublic of China an d swear allegiance to the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Chapter V Economy Section 1: Public Finance, Monetary Affairs, Trade, Industry and Co mmerceArticle 105The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall, in a ccordance with law,protect the right of individuals and legal persons to the acquisition,use, disposal and inheritance of property and their right to compensationfor lawful deprivation of their property. Such compensation shallcorrespond to the real value of the property co ncerned at the time andshall be freely convertible and paid without undue delay.The ownership of enterprises and the investments from outsid e the Regionshall be protected by law.Article 106The Hong Kong Spec ial Administrative Region shall have independentfinances. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall use itsfinancial revenue s exclusively for its own purposes, and they shall not behanded over to the Central People's Government.The Central People's Government shall no t levy taxes in the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region.Article 107The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall follow the principl e ofkeeping expenditure within the limits of revenues in drawing up itsbudget, and strive to achieve a fiscal balance, avoid deficits and keepthe budget commensurate with the growth rate of its gros s domesticproduct.Article 108The Hong Kong Special Administrative Regio n shall practise an independenttaxation system.The Hong Kong Special Ad ministrative Region shall, taking the low taxpolicy previously purs ued in Hong Kong as reference, enact laws on its ownconcerning types of taxes, tax rates, tax reductions, allowances andexemptions, and ot her matters of taxation.Article 109The Government of the Hong Kong S pecial Administrative Region shallprovide an appropriate economic and legal environment for the maintenanceof the status of Hong Kong as an international financial centre.Article 110The monetary and financial sys tems of the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion shall be prescribed b y law.The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region sh all, onits own, formulate monetary and financial policies, safeguard the freeoperation of financial business and financial markets, and r egulate andsupervise them in accordance with law. Article 111The Hong Kong dollar, as the legal tender in the Ho ng Kong SpecialAdministrative Region, shall continue to circulate.The authority to issue Hong Kong currency shall be vested in theGo vernment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The issue of Hong Kong currency must be backed by a 100 per cent reserve fund. T hesystem regarding the issue of Hong Kong currency and the reserve fundsystem shall be prescribed by law.The Government of the Hong Ko ng Special Administrative Region mayauthorize designated banks to issue or continue to issue Hong Kongcurrency under statutory autho rity, after satisfying itself that any issueof currency will be soundly based and that the arrangements for such issueare consistent with the object of maintaining the stability of thecurrency.Article 112No f oreign exchange control policies shall be applied in the Hong KongSp ecial Administrative Region. The Hong Kong dollar shall be freely convertible. Markets for foreign exchange, gold, securities, futures a ndthe like shall continue. The Government of the Hong Kong Spe cialAdministrative Region shall safeguard the free flow of capital w ithin,into and out of the Region.Article 113The Exchange Fund of the Hon g Kong Special Administrative Region shall bemanaged and controlled by the government of the Region, primarily forregulating the exchange value of the Hong Kong dollar.Article 114The Hong Kong Special Administr ative Region shall maintain the status of afree port and shall not impos e any tariff unless otherwise prescribed bylaw.Article 115The Hong Kon g Special Administrative Region shall pursue the policy offree trade and safeguard the free movement of goods, intangible assets andcapital. Article 116The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be a sepa rate customsterritory. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may, using the name"Hong Kong, China", participate in relevant internation al organizationsand international trade agreements (including p referential tradearrangements), such as the General Agreement on Tar iffs and Trade andarrangements regarding international trade in text iles. Export quotas,tariff preferences and other similar arrangements, which are obtained ormade by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Reg ion or which were obtainedor made and remain valid, shall be enjoyed exc lusively by the Region. Article 117The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may issue its own certificatesof origin for products in accordance with prevailing ru les of origin.Article 118The Government of the Hong Kong Special Ad ministrative Region shallprovide an economic and legal environment f or encouraging investments,technological progress and the development of new industries.Article 119The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shallformulate appropriate policies to promote and coordinate the developmentof various trades such as manufacturing, commerce, tourism, real estate,transport, public utilities, services, agriculture and fisheries, and payregard to the protection of the envi ronment. Section 2: Land LeasesArticle 120All leases of land granted, de cided upon or renewed before theestablishment of the Hong Kong Sp ecial Administrative Region which extendbeyond 30 June 1997, and all ri ghts in relation to such leases, shallcontinue to be recognized and protected under the law of the Region.Article 121As regards all leases of land granted or renewed where the original leasescontain no right of renewal, during the period from 27 May 1985 to 30 June1997, which extend beyond 30 June 1997 and expire not later than 30 June2047, the lessee is not required to pay an additional premium as from 1July 1997, but an annual rent equivalent to 3 per cent of the rateablevalue of the property at that date, adjusted in step with any changes inthe rateab le value thereafter, shall be charged.Article 122In the case of old sche dule lots, village lots, small houses and similarrural holdings, where the property was on 30 June 1984 held by, or, in thecase of small house s granted after that date, where the property isgranted to, a les see descended through the male line from a person who wasin 1898 a resid ent of an established village in Hong Kong, the previousrent shall re main unchanged so long as the property is held by that lesseeor by one o f his lawful successors in the male line.Article 123Where leases of la nd without a right of renewal expire after theestablishment of t he Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, they shallbe dealt with in accordance with laws and policies formulated by theRegion on its own. Section 3: ShippingArticle 124The Hong Kong Special Administrative R egion shall maintain Hong Kong'sprevious systems of shipping managem ent and shipping regulation, includingthe system for regulating conditio ns of seamen.The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Reg ion shall, onits own, define its specific functions and responsibiliti es in respect ofshipping.Article 125The Hong Kong Special Administrativ e Region shall be authorized by theCentral People's Government to co ntinue to maintain a shipping registerand issue related certificates under its legislation, using the name "HongKong, China".Article 126With the exception of foreign warships, access for which requires thespe cial permission of the Central People's Government, ships shall enjoya ccess to the ports of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region i naccordance with the laws of the Region.Article 127Private shipping busi nesses and shipping-related businesses and privatecontainer terminals in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region maycontinue to opera te freely. Section 4: Civil AviationArticle 128The Government of the Hong Ko ng Special Administrative Region shallprovide conditions and take me asures for the maintenance of the status ofHong Kong as a centre of int ernational and regional aviation.Article 129The Hong Kong Special Admini strative Region shall continue the previoussystem of civil aviation m anagement in Hong Kong and keep its own aircraftregister in accordance w ith provisions laid down by the Central People'sGovernment concerning nationality marks and registration marks ofaircraft.Access of f oreign state aircraft to the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion sh all require the special permission of the Central People'sGovernm ent.Article 130The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be res ponsible on itsown for matters of routine business and technical ma nagement of civilaviation, including the management of airports, th e provision of airtraffic services within the flight information regi on of the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region, and the discharge of other responsibilitiesallocated to it under the regional air navi gation procedures of theInternational Civil Aviation Organization. Article 131The Central People's Government shall, in consultation wi th the Governmentof the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, make arrangementsproviding air services between the Region and other p arts of the People'sRepublic of China for airlines incorporated in t he Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region and having their principal place of business in HongKong and other airlines of the People's Republi c of China.Article 132All air service agreements providing air services between other parts ofthe People's Republic of China and other states and regions with stops atthe Hong Kong Special Administrative Region an d air services between theHong Kong Special Administrative Region and other states and regions withstops at other parts of the People's Repub lic of China shall be concludedby the Central People's Government.In co ncluding the air service agreements referred to in the firstpar agraph of this Article, the Central People's Government shall takea ccount of the special conditions and economic interests of the Hong Kon gSpecial Administrative Region and consult the government of the Region. Representatives of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrati veRegion may, as members of the delegations of the Government of thePeople's Republic of China, participate in air service consult ationsconducted by the Central People's Government with foreign gov ernmentsconcerning arrangements for such services referred to in the firstparagraph of this Article.Article 133Acting under specific aut horizations from the Central People's Government,the Government of the H ong Kong Special Administrative Region may:(1) renew or amend air servic e agreements and arrangements previously inforce;(2) negotiate and con clude new air service agreements providing routes forairlines incorporat ed in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region andhaving their prin cipal place of business in Hong Kong and providing rightsfor over-flight s and technical stops; and(3) negotiate and conclude provisional arrange ments with foreign states orregions with which no air service agreements have been concluded.All scheduled air services to, from or through Hong Kong, which do notoperate to, from or through the mainland of China shall be regulated bythe air service agreements or provisional arran gements referred to in thisArticle. Article 134The Central People's Government shall give the Government of the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region the authority to:(1) neg otiate and conclude with other authorities all arrangementsconcer ning the implementation of the air service agreements andprov isional arrangements referred to in Article 133 of this Law;(2) issue li cences to airlines incorporated in the Hong Kong SpecialAdministra tive Region and having their principal place of business in HongKong;(3) designate such airlines under the air service agreements andp rovisional arrangements referred to in Article 133 of this Law; and(4) i ssue permits to foreign airlines for services other than those to,fro m or through the mainland of China.Article 135Airlines incorporated and having their principal place of business in HongKong and businesses rela ted to civil aviation functioning there prior tothe establishment of t he Hong Kong Special Administrative Region maycontinue to operate. Chapter VI Education, Science, Culture, Sports, Religion, Labour an d Social Services Article 136On the basis of the previous educational system, the Go vernment of theHong Kong Special Administrative Region shall, on i ts own, formulatepolicies on the development and improvement of education, includingpolicies regarding the educational system and it s administration, thelanguage of instruction, the allocation of funds, the examination system,the system of academic awards and the re cognition of educationalqualifications. Community organizations and individuals may, inaccordance with law, run educational undert akings of various kinds in theHong Kong Special Administrative Region.A rticle 137Educational institutions of all kinds may retain their autonom y and enjoyacademic freedom. They may continue to recruit staff and use teachingmaterials from outside the Hong Kong Special Administrativ e Region.Schools run by religious organizations may continue to provide religiouseducation, including courses in religion. Students shall enj oy freedom ofchoice of educational institutions and freedom to pursue t heir educationoutside the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.Artic le 138The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region sh all, onits own, formulate policies to develop Western and traditiona l Chinesemedicine and to improve medical and health services. Communityorganizations and individuals may provide various medica l and healthservices in accordance with law.Article 139The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall, onits own, form ulate policies on science and technology and protect by lawachievement s in scientific and technological research, patents,discoveri es and inventions. The Government of the Hong Kong SpecialAdminis trative Region shall, on its own, decide on the scientific andtechn ological standards and specifications applicable in Hong Kong.Article 14 0The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall, onits own, formulate policies on culture and protect by law the achieve mentsand the lawful rights and interests of authors in their litera ry andartistic creation.Article 141The Government of the Hong Kong Spec ial Administrative Region shall notrestrict the freedom of religiou s belief, interfere in the internalaffairs of religious organizatio ns or restrict religious activities whichdo not contravene the laws of the Region.Religious organizations shall, in accordance with law, enjoy the rights toacquire, use, dispose of and inherit property and the rig ht to receivefinancial assistance. Their previous property rights and interests shallbe maintained and protected. Religious organizations may, according totheir previous practice, continue to run seminaries and other schools,hospitals and welfare institutions and to provide o ther social services.Religious organizations and believers in the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region may maintain and develo p their relations withreligious organizations and believers elsewhere. Article 142The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative R egion shall, onthe basis of maintaining the previous systems concernin g the professions,formulate provisions on its own for assessing the qualifications forpractice in the various professions. Person s with professionalqualifications or qualifications for professional practice obtained priorto the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region mayretain their previous qualifications in ac cordance with the relevantregulations and codes of practice.The Gover nment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shallcontinu e to recognize the professions and the professional organizationsrecog nized prior to the establishment of the Region, and theseorg anizations may, on their own, assess and confer professionalq ualifications.The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may, asrequired by developments in society and in consultation with the partiesconcerned, recognize new professions and professional organizations.Article 143The Government of the Hong Kong Special Adminis trative Region shall, onits own, formulate policies on sports. Non-governmental sportsorganizations may continue to exist and deve lop in accordance with law.Article 144The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shallmaintain the policy previously practised in Hong Kong in respect ofsubventions for non-governme ntal organizations in fields such aseducation, medicine and heal th, culture, art, recreation, sports, socialwelfare and social work. S taff members previously serving in subventedorganizations in Hong Ko ng may remain in their employment in accordancewith the previous syst em.Article 145On the basis of the previous social welfare system, the Go vernment of theHong Kong Special Administrative Region shall, on it s own, formulatepolicies on the development and improvement of this sy stem in the light ofthe economic conditions and social needs.Article 146 Voluntary organizations providing social services in the Hong Kong Speci alAdministrative Region may, on their own, decide their forms of serv ice,provided that the law is not contravened.Article 147The Hong Kong Sp ecial Administrative Region shall on its own formulatelaws and polic ies relating to labour. Article 148The relationship between non-governmental organizations i n fields such aseducation, science, technology, culture, art, sports, the professions,medicine and health, labour, social welfare and socia l work as well asreligious organizations in the Hong Kong Special Ad ministrative Region andtheir counterparts on the mainland shall be based on the principles ofnon-subordination, non-interference and mutual respect.Article 149Non-governmental organizations in fields such as education, science,technology, culture, art, sports, the professions, medicine and health,labour, social welfare and social work as well as religious organizationsin the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may maintain and developrelations with their counterparts in foreign countries and regions andwith relevant international organizations. They may, as required, use thename "Hong Kong, China" in the relevant a ctivities. Chapter VII External Affairs Article 150Representatives of the Government of the Hong Kong Specia l AdministrativeRegion may, as members of delegations of the Government of the People'sRepublic of China, participate in negotiations at t he diplomatic leveldirectly affecting the Region conducted by t he Central People'sGovernment.Article 151The Hong Kong Special Admin istrative Region may on its own, using the name"Hong Kong, China", main tain and develop relations and conclude andimplement agreements with foreign states and regions and relevantinternational organiz ations in the appropriate fields, including theeconomic, trade, financial and monetary, shipping, communications,tourism, cultural and sports fields.Article 152Representatives of the Government of the H ong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion may, as members of delegations of the People's Republic of China,participate in international organizat ions or conferences in appropriatefields limited to states and affecti ng the Region, or may attend in suchother capacity as may be permitted by the Central People's Government andthe international organization o r conference concerned, and may expresstheir views, using the name "H ong Kong, China".The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may, usin g the name "HongKong, China", participate in international organizati ons and conferencesnot limited to states. The Central People's Gover nment shall take thenecessary steps to ensure that the Hong Kong Spec ial Administrative Regionshall continue to retain its status in an appro priate capacity in thoseinternational organizations of which the Peop le's Republic of China is amember and in which Hong Kong participates in one capacity or another.The Central People's Government shall, where necessary, facilitate thecontinued participation of the Hong Kong Sp ecial Administrative Region inan appropriate capacity in those internat ional organizations in which HongKong is a participant in one capacity or another, but of which thePeople's Republic of China is not a m ember.Article 153The application to the Hong Kong Special Adminis trative Region ofinternational agreements to which the People's Republ ic of China is orbecomes a party shall be decided by the Central Pe ople's Government, inaccordance with the circumstances and needs of the Region, and afterseeking the views of the government of t he Region. Internationalagreements to which the People's Republic of China is not a party butwhich are implemented in Hong Kong may cont inue to be implemented in theHong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Central People's Governmentshall, as necessary, authorize or assis t the government of the Region tomake appropriate arrangements for the application to the Region of otherrelevant international agreements. Article 154The Central People's Government shall authorize the Gover nment of the HongKong Special Administrative Region to issue, in acc ordance with law,passports of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Reg ion of the People'sRepublic of China to all Chinese citizens who ho ld permanent identitycards of the Region, and travel documents of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region of the People's Republic of China to all otherpersons lawfully residing in the Region. The above passports and documentsshall be valid for all states and regions a nd shall record the holder'sright to return to the Region. The Govern ment of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region may apply immigra tion controls on entry into, stayin and departure from the Region by persons from foreign states andregions.Article 155The Central Peop le's Government shall assist or authorize the Governmentof the Hong Ko ng Special Administrative Region to conclude visa abolitionagreements w ith foreign states or regions.Article 156The Hong Kong Special Administr ative Region may, as necessary, establishofficial or semi-official eco nomic and trade missions in foreign countriesand shall report the esta blishment of such missions to the CentralPeople's Government for t he record.Article 157The establishment of foreign consular and other off icial or semi-officialmissions in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall require theapproval of the Central People's Government.Con sular and other official missions established in Hong Kong by statesw hich have formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of Chin amay be maintained. According to the circumstances of each case, consu larand other official missions established in Hong Kong by states which haveno formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China may bepermitted either to remain or be changed to semi-official mission s.States not recognized by the People's Republic of China may only estab lishnon-governmental institutions in the Region. Chapter VIII Interpretation and Amendment of the Basic Law Article 158The power of interpretation of this Law shall be vested in the StandingCommittee of the National People's Congress.The Standin g Committee of the National People's Congress shall authorizethe court s of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to interpret ontheir o wn, in adjudicating cases, the provisions of this Law which arewithi n the limits of the autonomy of the Region.The courts of the Hong Kon g Special Administrative Region may alsointerpret other provisions of this Law in adjudicating cases. However, ifthe courts of the Region, in adjudicating cases, need to interpret theprovisions of this Law concerning affairs which are the responsibility ofthe Central People's Government, or concerning the relationship betweenthe Central Authori ties and the Region, and if such interpretation willaffect the judgme nts on the cases, the courts of the Region shall, beforemaking their final judgments which are not appealable, seek aninterpretatio n of the relevant provisions from the Standing Committee ofthe Nationa l People's Congress through the Court of Final Appeal of theRegion. W hen the Standing Committee makes an interpretation of theprovisi ons concerned, the courts of the Region, in applying thoseprovi sions, shall follow the interpretation of the Standing Committee.However, judgments previously rendered shall not be affected.The Standing Commit tee of the National People's Congress shall consult itsCommittee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regionbefore giving a n interpretation of this Law.Article 159The power of amendment of this Law shall be vested in the Nationalpeople's Congress. The power to propose bills for amendments to this Lawshall be vested in the St anding Committee of the National People'sCongress, the State Counci l and the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion. Amendment bills from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regionshall be submitted to the National People's Congress by the delegation ofthe Region to the Na tional People's Congress after obtaining the consentof two-thirds of t he deputies of the Region to the National People'sCongress, two-th irds of all the members of the Legislative Council of theRegion, and th e Chief Executive of the Region. Before a bill foramendment to this Law is put on the agenda of the National People'sCongress, the Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SpecialAdminist rative Region shall study it and submit its views.No amendment to this L aw shall contravene the established basic policiesof the People's Repu blic of China regarding Hong Kong. Chapter IX Supplementary Provisions Article 160Upon the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administr ative Region, thelaws previously in force in Hong Kong shall be adopted as laws of theRegion except for those which the Standing Committ ee of the NationalPeople's Congress declares to be in contravention o f this Law. If any lawsare later discovered to be in contravention of th is Law, they shall beamended or cease to have force in accordanc e with the procedure asprescribed by this Law.Documents, certificate s, contracts, and rights and obligations valid underthe laws previously in force in Hong Kong shall continue to be valid andbe recognized and protected by the Hong Kong Special AdministrativeRegion, provided that they do not contravene this Law. Annex I:Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region1. The Chief Executive shall be el ected by a broadly representativeElection Committee in accordance w ith this Law and appointed by theCentral People's Government.2. Th e Election Committee shall be composed of 800 members from thefol lowing sectors:Industrial, commercial and financial sectors 200The professions 200Labour, social services, religious and other sectors 200Members of the Legislative Council, representatives ofdistrict-based organizations, Hong Kong deputies tothe National Peopl e's Congress, and representativesof Hong Kong members of the National Co mmittee ofthe Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference 200The term of office of the Election Committee shall be five y ears.3. The delimitation of the various sectors, the organizations i n eachsector eligible to return Election Committee members and the n umber ofsuch members returned by each of these organizations shall be prescribedby an electoral law enacted by the Hong Kong Special Administ rative Regionin accordance with the principles of democracy and openness. Corporate bodies in various sectors shall, on their own, elect members tothe Election Committee, in accordance with the number of seats alloc atedand the election method as prescribed by the electoral law.Members of the Election Committee shall vote in their individualcapacit ies.4. Candidates for the office of Chief Executive may be nominated j ointlyby not less than 100 members of the Election Committee.Each member may nominate only one candidate. 5. The Election Committee shall, on the basis of the list of nom inees,elect the Chief Executive designate by secret ballot on aone-person-one-vote basis. The specific election method shall beprescribed by the electoral law.6. The first Chief Executive s hall be selected in accordance with the"Decision of the National Pe ople's Congress of the People's Republic ofChina on the Method for th e Formation of the First Government and theFirst Legislative Counci l of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region".7. If there is a need to amend the method for selecting the ChiefExecutives for the t erms subsequent to the year 2007, such amendments mustbe made with the e ndorsement of a two-thirds majority of all the membersof the Legislati ve Council and the consent of the Chief Executive, andthey shall be reported to the Standing Committee of the National People'sCongress for approval. Annex II:Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region and Its Voti ng ProceduresI. Method for the formation of the Leg islative Council1. The Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special A dministrative Regionshall be composed of 60 members in each term. In the first term, theLegislative Council shall be formed in accordance with the "Decision ofthe National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on theMethod for the Formation of the First Governm ent and the First LegislativeCouncil of the Hong Kong Special Administra tive Region". The compositionof the Legislative Council in the second and third terms shall be asfollows:Second termMembers returned by functional constituencies 30Members returned b y the Election Committee 6Members returned by geographical constituenciesthrough direct elections 24Third termMembers returned by functiona l constituencies 30Members returned by geograp hical constituenciesthrough direct elections 302. Except in the case of the first Legislativ e Council, the above-mentioned Election Committee refers to the one p rovided for in Annex I ofthis Law.The division of geographical constitu encies and the voting method fordirect elections therein; the del imitation of functional sectors andcorporate bodies, their seat allo cation and election methods;and the method for electing members of the Legislative Council by theElection Committee shall be specified by a n electoral law introduced bythe Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and passedby the Legislative Council.II. Procedu res for voting on bills and motions in the Legislative CouncilUnless ot herwise provided for in this Law, the Legislative Council shalladopt t he following procedures for voting on bills and motions:The passage of b ills introduced by the government shall require at least asimple majorit y vote of the members of the Legislative Council present.The passage of motions, bills or amendments to government bills introducedby individual members of the Legislative Council shall require a simplemajority vo te of each of the two groups of members present: membersreturned by functional constituencies and those returned by geographicalconstit uencies through direct elections and by the Election Committee. III. Method for the formation of the Legislative Council and its votingprocedures subsequent to the year 2007With regard to the method fo r forming the Legislative Council of the HongKong Special Administrativ e Region and its procedures for voting on billsand motions after 2007, if there is a need to amend the provisions of thisAnnex, such amendments must be made with the endorsement of a two-thirdsmajority of all the members of the Council and the consent of the ChiefExecutive, and the y shall be reported to the Standing Committee of theNational People' s Congress for the record.Annex III:National Laws to be Applied in the H ong Kong special Administrative RegionThe following national laws shall be applied locally with effect from 1July 1997 by way of promulgation or legislation by the Hong Kong SpecialAdministrative Region:1. Resol ution on the Capital, Calendar, National Anthem and National Flagof the People's Republic of China.2. Resolution on the National Day of the Peo ple's Republic of China.3. Order on the National Emblem of the Peo ple's Republic of ChinaProclaimed by the Central People's Government. Attached: Design of the national emblem notes of explanation andinstruct ions for use.4. Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic o f Chinaon the Territorial Sea.5. Nationality Law of the People's Republi c of China.6. Regulations of the People's Republic of China Concerning D iplomaticPrivileges and Immunities. The Design of the Regional Flag and the Design of the Regional Embl em ofthe Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Repub lic ofChina see page 90 of this book.