The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China was established on 1 July 1997 under the principles of “One Country, Two Systems” and “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong”. These principles are enshrined in the Basic Law, the constitutional document of the HKSAR.
Under the Basic Law, the HKSAR shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy except in those matters relating to defence and foreign affairs. The HKSAR shall exercise executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. The HKSAR's executive authorities and legislature shall be composed of permanent residents of Hong Kong. The HKSAR shall remain a free port, a separate customs territory and an international financial centre and may, on its own, use the name of "Hong Kong, China", maintain and develop relations and conclude and implement agreements with foreign states and regions and relevant international organisations in the appropriate fields, including the economic, trade, financial and monetary, shipping, communications, tourism, cultural and sports field.
The HKSAR is headed by the Chief Executive, who is advised on major policy decisions by the Executive Council.
The main administrative and executive functions of government are carried out by 13 policy bureaux, which formulate policies and initiate legislative proposals, and 61 departments and agencies, which implement laws and policies and provide direct services to the community. They are staffed mostly by civil servants.
The Legislative Council is the law-making body of the HKSAR. It comprises 70 members, with 35 elected directly by geographical constituencies and 35 elected by functional, occupation-based constituencies. Apart from its law-making function, the Legislative Council debates issues of public interest, examines and approves budgets, receives and debates the Chief Executive's policy addresses, and endorses the appointment and removal of the judges of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Court.
The Basic Law guarantees that the HKSAR continues to practice common law. The HKSAR has an independent judiciary. It is responsible for the administration of justice and interprets the laws enacted by the Legislative Council.
More information about the Basic Law can be found here.
More information about Hong Kong's legal services can be found here.
More information about the HKSAR Government can be found here.