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Hong Kong Basic Law

Hong Kong Basic Law
The Basic Law was drafted as part of the Sino-British Joint Declaration covering Hong Kong after its handover to China on July 1, 1997. The declaration stated Hong Kong would be governed under the principle of ‘one country, two systems’ and continue to enjoy its capitalist system and individual freedoms for 50 years after the handover.
Hong Kong’s Chief Justice Andrew Cheung inspects the police ceremonial guard outside City Hall on Monday, ahead of his speech to mark the opening of the 2026 legal year. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong courts

Rule of law in Hong Kong ‘more robust’ than any single case: chief justice

Calls for early release of any defendant on political grounds strike against the rule of law, Chief Justice Andrew Cheung says of Jimmy Lai case.

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Law

Legal Tales | What happens in Hong Kong’s top court, hidden amid the city’s winter wonderland

Hong Kong politics

Editorial | Expectations for Hong Kong’s newly sworn-in legislators are clear

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | End of the road for Hong Kong’s democracy movement? There’s still hope

The only hopeless aspect is the erroneous thinking that Hong Kong can have democracy without the central government’s blessing.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Hong Kong politics

Editorial | New Legco tasked with pushing for better governance of city, deepening reform

Lawmakers must work with the chief executive to advance post-fire recovery, improve livelihoods and encourage Hong Kong to play its unique role in national development.

Hong Kong politics

Opinion | After Hong Kong fire, new lawmakers will have to hit the ground running

Lawmakers must reach out to their electorates, listen to grievances and frustrations and seek to understand people’s plight.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong must build on foundations laid at successful Legal Week

The event provides a valuable platform for international engagement as the city tries to make its mark on the global legal landscape.

Professor Ignacio Tirado (right) secretary general of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law, delivers a speech during Hong Kong Legal Week on December 2. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong’s connectivity, talent can foster legal cooperation: minister, expert

City’s views on transnational laws are influential, expert says, as representatives from over 25 jurisdictions meet at Hong Kong Legal Week forum.

Crime in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s national security police arrest 2 over alleged seditious online posts

Man and woman held over alleged seditious posts on social media, while police also seize suspected marijuana during search at Kwai Chung home.

Hong Kong society

Editorial | Rebound in Hong Kong pupils’ English proficiency is encouraging

Record high scores a sign of teachers’ enhanced post-pandemic support and bode well for the city’s competitiveness.

Pupils take part in the Territory-wide System Assessment, at the Tsuen Wan Trade Association Primary School in Tsing Yi. Photo: Roy Issa
Law

Legal Tales | Having common law lawyers from here, elsewhere is in Hong Kong’s best interest

Having overseas lawyers here is not a historical hangover, but allows the courts to get the best expertise under ‘one country, two systems’.

(From left) Tse Kwan-ho, Renci Yeung and Dayo Wong Tze-wah in a still from the film A Guilty Conscience. Photo: Edko Films
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong condemns UK ‘smears’ as interference in latest city monitoring report

Authorities slam London’s ‘untruthful remarks’, after UK report claimed national security laws diminished Hong Kong’s political autonomy.

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Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong an aviation hub for Greater Bay Area, beyond: Airport Authority chief

The HKIA serves as a vital infrastructure for Chinese firms moving to expand globally, Airport Authority chairman Fred Lam says.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong to seek administrative measures to protect same-sex couple rights

City leader also says ill-fated bill shows Legco is not ‘rubber stamp’, as some ‘unfairly’ suggest.

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Hong Kong authorities are considering administrative measures to protect the rights of same-sex couples. Photo: Eugene Lee
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong to remove at least 5 opposition groups from societies register

Nearly 300 community groups given three months to furnish proof of existence or risk having their operations banned.

The now-defunct Scholarism group, founded by jailed activist Joshua Wong (pictured), is facing the risk of being deregistered. Photo: SCMP
Hong Kong national security law

Hong Kong summons Australian and British consuls over ‘harbouring criminals’

Chief Secretary Eric Chan condemns countries for granting asylum to activists and vows to bring national security offenders to justice.

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Hong Kong courts

Opinion | Why smear Hong Kong’s prosecution of secession as political persecution?

The city’s national security law does not criminalise political advocacy or criticism of the authorities. But it does criminalise secession.

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Hong Kong courts

Exclusive | Hong Kong needs ‘targeted law’ to tackle AI deepfake porn: Bar Association chief

Jose-Antonio Maurellet says existing laws are not tailored to punish those who obtain images of others without consent to create deepfakes.

Jose-Antonio Maurellet says it is possible to create a new law ‘very quickly’ to tackle AI deepfake porn, if the government has the political will to do so. Photo: Getty Images
Law

Legal Tales | The crypto frenzy and the legal response in Hong Kong

New framework strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a global digital asset hub by offering a sound regulatory environment.

Hong Kong politics

Police slap HK$200,000 bounties on 15 from subversive ‘Hong Kong Parliament’

National security police also issue new arrest warrants for four more people.

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Hong Kong politics

Letters | Same-sex bill is an acid test of Hong Kong’s human rights protection

Readers discuss the city’s constitutional order, the argument against recognising same-sex relationships, and two-dish rice queues in Hong Kong’s financial district.

A view of the Court of Final Appeal in Central on June 11. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong 47: appeals by 11 opposition figures jailed for subversion roll on

Lawyers argue defendants cannot be held liable under national security law for efforts to oust the city leader via constitutional means.

Lawyers representing 11 Hong Kong opposition figures continued advancing arguments in a bid to overturn their convictions for conspiracy to subvert state power. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong 47: court begins hearing appeals as prosecutors seek to quash acquittal

Legal counsel for 11 urge court to refrain from adjudicating on ‘political matters’ as prosecutors challenge acquittal of one of the accused.

Hong Kong

Letters | For Hong Kong’s mediation body to be on par with The Hague, more must be done

Readers discuss Hong Kong’s opportunity to cement its international status, the meaning of ‘like-minded’, the city’s long-term fiscal planning, and civil service exams.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Hong Kong and Singapore: rivals and partners learning from each other

Small and externally oriented economies, both cities face common challenges and must make common cause, while repositioning and reinventing themselves.

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Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum in Lima, Peru, on November 15, 2024. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong lawmakers slam proposal to recognise same-sex partnerships

Proposal to introduce new registration mechanism through legislation sparks rare fiery exchange between lawmakers and officials.

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Same-sex couples have never had legal recognition in Hong Kong, owing to a strict legal definition of marriage. Photo: Felix Wong
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong to mandate digital job applications for civil service

Digitalisation drive aimed at improving recruitment efficiency and the use of resources.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong civil servants have duty to identify security breaches: Chris Tang

Security chief says national security risks remain as the West uses Hong Kong as an avenue to ‘oppress’ and ‘blockade’ China.

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