Politics in Hong Kong

Hong Kong implements an executive-led governance model and formulates a governance system and representative government structure led by the Chief Executive and the Executive Council.

The head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is the Chief Executive, who is elected by the broadly representative Election Committee in accordance with the Basic Law and appointed by the Central People's Government. The Chief Executive is responsible for implementing the Basic Law, signing bills and budgets, promulgating legislation, deciding government policies and issuing administrative orders, and is assisted by the Executive Council in formulating policies. The first chief executive of Hong Kong was Tung Chee-hwa. On July 1, 2012, Leung Chun-ying officially became the Chief Executive of Hong Kong. Title Departments Chief Executive’s Civil Service Appointments Commission, Office of the Ombudsman, Independent Commission Against Corruption, Audit Commission, Central Policy Unit (Secretariat of the Strategic Development Committee), Chief Executive’s Office Chief Secretary for Administration (Administrative Department) (Protocol Division, Government Records Service, Office of the Former Chief Executive), Efficiency Promotion Unit (1823 Call Centre), Policy and Project Coordination Office) Civil Service Bureau: Joint Secretariat of the Advisory Committee on Civil Service and Judicial Salaries and Conditions of Service

Government System and Mainland Affairs Bureau: Registration and Electoral Office, Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Mainland), Hong Kong Economic, Trade and Cultural Office

Education Bureau (Charity Youth League): University Education Grants Committee Secretariat, Student Financial Aid Office

Environment Bureau (Sustainable Development Branch): Environmental Protection Department

Food and Health Bureau: Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, Department of Health ( Center for Health Protection, Tobacco Control Office, Department of Health), Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (Center for Food Safety), Government Laboratory

Home Affairs Bureau: Home Affairs Department, Government Information Services Department, Legal Aid Department (Official Solicitor Office), Leisure and Cultural Services Department (Antiquities and Monuments Office, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra)

Labor and Welfare Bureau: Labor Department, Social Welfare Department (Entrepreneurship Building)

Security Bureau (Narcotics Division): Auxiliary Medical Service, Civil Aid Service, Correctional Services Department, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Hong Kong Fire Services Department, Government Flying Service, Hong Kong Police Force (Hong Kong Auxiliary Police Force), Immigration Department, Interception of Communications and Surveillance Services Commissioner's Secretariat

Transport and Housing Bureau: Civil Aviation Department, Highways Department, Housing Department, Marine Department, Transport Department Financial Secretary's Office (Economic Analysis and Business Facilitation Branch), Hong Kong Finance Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Authority (Commerce, Industry and Tourism Branch> Tourism Commission> Travel Agents Registry, Communications and Technology Branch, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer): Hong Kong Observatory, Innovation and Technology Commission, Intellectual Property Department, Invest Hong Kong, Office of the Communications Authority (Film, Newspapers and Articles Control Office), Post Office, Radio Television Hong Kong, Trade and Industry Department, Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Overseas)

Development Bureau: Architectural Department, Buildings Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Drainage Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Lands Department, Land Registry, Planning Department, Water Supplies Department

Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (Financial Services Branch) (Insider Dealing Tribunal, Securities and Futures Appeals Tribunal), Treasury Branch): Census and Statistics Department, Companies Registry, Government Logistics Agency, Government Property Agency, Inland Revenue Department (Tax Appeal Board), Office of the Insurance Commissioner, Official Receiver's Office, Rating Property Valuation Department, Treasury Secretary for Justice Secretary for Justice Legislative Council

The main functions of the Legislative Council are to formulate, amend and repeal laws; review and approve financial budgets, taxes and corporate expenditures; and Question the work of the government. The Legislative Council is also authorized to approve the appointment and removal of judges of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Justice of the High Court, and has the power to impeach the Chief Executive. The fifth Legislative Council of Hong Kong is composed of 70 members, of which 35 members are directly elected by district elections and the remaining 35 members are elected by functional groups. The election for the fifth Legislative Council was held on September 9, 2012. According to the Basic Law and the Legislative Council Ordinance (Chapter 542), the term of the fifth Legislative Council begins on October 1, 2012 and lasts for four years. The President of the Legislative Council is elected by members of the Legislative Council.

The Independent Commission Against Corruption

The Independent Commission Against Corruption was formally established in February 1974 to combat corruption with a three-pronged approach of law enforcement, prevention and education. Before its establishment, the Anti-Corruption Department of the Hong Kong Police Force was responsible for related matters. The ICAC's investigation targets were initially limited to civil servants, and then expanded to public institutions, and then included all private institutions. The first important task after the establishment of the ICAC was to arrest Gerber and return him to Hong Kong. In early 1975, the ICAC successfully extradited Gerber from the UK to Hong Kong for trial. As a result, Gerber was found guilty of conspiracy to commit corruption and accepting bribes and was sentenced to four years in prison. The Gerber case fully reflected the ICAC's determination to fight corruption and set off a silent revolution in Hong Kong. One country, two systems

One country, two systems is the basic policy of the People's Republic of China and the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong. Hong Kong has its own regional flag and regional emblem. It also has a different social form and economic model from mainland China. Hong Kong issues its own currency and stamps. In international sports competitions, Hong Kong competes under the name "Hong Kong, China".

Universal suffrage for the Chief Executive

On July 15, 2014, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Leung Chun-ying, submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress "Regarding the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2017 and the Legislative Council in 2016" "Report in Need of Revision", which marks the first step in the "five steps" of Hong Kong's political development and the first step towards universal suffrage for the chief executive in 2017. The report points out that the method for selecting the Chief Executive in 2017 needs to be modified to achieve the goal of universal suffrage; while the method for selecting the Legislative Council in 2016 does not require modifications to Annex 2 of the Basic Law. The Chief Executive requests the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress to make a decision. The Chief Executive also submitted the "Public Consultation Report on Methods for Selection of the Chief Executive and the Legislative Council in 2017" and all appendices of Hong Kong's "Public Reform Advisory Task Force" to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. On August 31, 2014, the 10th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 12th National People's Congress concluded at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The meeting unanimously approved the National People's Congress Standing Committee's decision on the issue of universal suffrage for the chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the method for selecting the Legislative Council in 2016 with 170 votes in favor.

China opposes external interference in Hong Kong

In early September 2014, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress sent a “strongly worded” letter to the Foreign Affairs Committee of the British House of Commons, urging the British side canceled the investigation, warning it would disrupt political reforms in Hong Kong. The letter sternly pointed out that the British investigation "is an interference in China's internal affairs" and is "extremely inappropriate." Such an investigation "sends the wrong signal to the outside world." China "will not tolerate direct interference from the United Kingdom and any other external forces." or indirect interference”. He also warned that such an investigation would have a negative impact on relations between the two countries. China’s ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming, also put pressure on British MPs to drop the investigation.

On October 1, 2014, during his visit to the United States, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi clearly stated China’s position on the situation in Hong Kong when he met with U.S. leaders at the White House and the State Department. Wang Yi emphasized that Hong Kong affairs are entirely China's internal affairs, and external forces have no right to interfere. China's sovereignty should be respected, which is also the basic norm of international relations. The core of the situation in Hong Kong is that some people deliberately and illegally gathered in the busiest neighborhoods, seriously disrupting social order. No country or society will allow such illegal behavior that ignores the rule of law and harms the interests of the public. This is true for American cities, and so is Hong Kong in China. The United States is required to be cautious in its words and deeds, abide by its commitment not to interfere in China's internal affairs, and not to send wrong signals to the outside world. I believe that the Hong Kong SAR government is fully capable of handling the current situation in accordance with the law. The regional flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

The regional flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region uses red as the background color. The red and white colors symbolize one country, two systems. There is a white bauhinia flower pattern with five-star stamens in the center. Bauhinia is the symbol of Hong Kong. The blooming bauhinia symbolizes Hong Kong's prosperity, and the red background symbolizes Hong Kong's everlasting support for the motherland.

The emblem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

The emblem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is circular, except for the words "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China" and "HONGKONG" written around it. In addition to the words, there is also a pattern of white five-star bauhinia stamens on a red background in the middle, which has the same meaning as the regional flag. Hong Kong Honors and Awards System

General Honors

Grand Bauhinia Medal, Gold Bauhinia Star, Silver Bauhinia Star, Bronze Bauhinia Star, Medal of Honor, Chief Executive’s Community Service Citation, Chief Executive's Certificate of Commendation

Valor and Honor

Gold Medal of Valor, Silver Medal of Valor, Bronze Medal of Valor

Force Honor

Medal of Excellence, Medal of Honor, Long Service Medal

The Long Service Medal, with the first clasp added, is awarded to military personnel with good character and conduct, who have served for 25 years and performed well during the period.

The Long Service Medal has a second additional clasp, which is awarded to personnel of various military units who have good character and conduct, have served for 30 years, and have performed well during the period.

The third clasp of the Long Service Medal is awarded to personnel of various military units with good character and conduct, who have served for 33 years and performed well during the period.