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HK Holds Forum to Review "One Country, Two Systems"
Elsie Leung, secretary for justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), said in Hong Kong Tuesday that the central government has been firmly adhering to the "one country, two systems" principle since the establishment of the SAR and rendered full trust to the chief executive.
The Basic Law is the backbone of Hong Kong's legal system since July 1, 1997, and comprises Hong Kong's legal system along with other laws like the common law, equity law and ordinances, said Leung when she delivered a speech at a forum to review the three-year experience since Hong Kong's return and the implementation of the Basic Law. Some Hong Kong members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference attended the forum.
Leung said the Basic Law carries out the long-term policy of the central government toward Hong Kong and its former legal system has been taken full into consideration when the Basic Law was being formulated.
She noted, "we all cherish the principle of the common law, but the law must adapt the times, and get amendments in accordance with the society. The legal system of the Hong Kong SAR must keep going forward to maintain its vitality."
She said local and foreign communities came to accept the new constitutional system of Hong Kong and understand the significance of Hong Kong's return to China, with the development of some cases.
Hong Kong's legal status has not only won positive recognition by foreign courts, some retired judges and foreigners working in Hong Kong have also became confident about the rule of law in Hong Kong since its return to China, Leung said.
Hong Kong witnessed a sound implementation of the Basic Law in the past three years in spite of some difficulties and hardships, she said, but there is nothing complacent for the SAR government.
She said the SAR government has been increasing communications with the mainland and trying to make a better society for Hong Kong with the joint efforts of the community.
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