Basic Law’s Article 22 ‘does not apply’ to Beijing’s liaison office, Hong Kong justice secretary says

While it must still abide by the law, the office is not a central government department as described in the article and therefore not bound by it

‘Anyone can give a stance on supporting [a candidate] or not,’ Cheng says when asked if agency weighing in on election would constitute interference

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Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng addresses the media after attending a meeting at Hong Kong’s Legislative Council on Monday. Photo: Dickson Lee

Published: 11:20pm, 27 Apr 2020Updated: 10:02am, 28 Apr 2020

Beijing’s Hong Kong liaison office is not bound by a clause in the Basic Law that guarantees non-interference from mainland departments in local affairs, the city’s justice minister said on Monday, although the office still must abide by the law.

Secretary for Justice Teresa Cheng Yeuk-wah, speaking at a Legislative Council panel meeting, took the most definitive position yet on the matter after nearly two weeks of public debate over the liaison office’s role in Hong Kong.

“Article 22 of the Basic Law does not apply to the liaison office,” Cheng said.

The article states that “no department of the Central People’s Government and no province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government” shall interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

Beijing’s Hong Kong liaison office has been at the centre of controversy this month after condemning opposition lawmakers it said were holding up Legco businesses with filibustering tactics. Photo: Bloomberg

It also says any mainland department wishing to set up offices in the city must first obtain the Hong Kong government’s consent.