Admin & Civic Affairs

Basic Law is paramount: Rimsky Yuen

(September 21, 2015)

Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen says it is important to conduct Hong Kong’s affairs in accordance with the Basic Law and the 'One country, two systems' principle.
 
Speaking to the media today on a recent discussion of de-colonisation, Mr Yuen said, from the legal perspective, there is only one standard which is the Basic Law, and the mini-constitution has specified the laws and system applicable to Hong Kong since its reversion to China's sovereignty.
 
Chen Zuo’er, the Chinese Association of Hong Kong & Macau Studies head, said in a speech on Sunday that the city’s development had been hampered by its failure to de-colonise and that this had harmed the ‘One country, two systems’ principle.
 
Mr Yuen noted that Hong Kong has retained some systems used during colonial times, including the common law and judicial systems, which are beneficial to Hong Kong. Systems that are in conflict with the Basic Law will need to be dealt with, he added.
 
The Government has examined laws for any conflicts with the Basic Law since the reunification, he stressed, and ensures new laws comply with the Basic Law before their passage.