This is the first systematic analysis of the constitutional, legal, economic, social and political systems of Hong Kong as a special administrative region of China. It examines the Basic Law against its historical and socio-economic contexts, including its international and domestic foundations, and the loss and the resumption of sovereignty by China. The author offers a conceptualization of the Basic Law and locates it within China's constitutional, political and legal systems. The book explores the balance as well as the tensions between the autonomy of Hong Kong and the sovereignty of China, which are aggravated by the necessity to accommodate contrasting economic and political systems. It also identifies key legal and political problems that are likely to arise in implementing the Basic Law and suggests an approach to its interpretation. The Basic Law provides a fascinating example of the interaction of widely different traditions of law, politics and economy, and a novel system of autonomy. Its study is therefore of great interest to scholars of comparative law and politics. This new edition covers significant political, constitutional and legal developments since the transfer of sovereignty in July 1997.

Derived from the renowned multi-volume International Encyclopaedia of Laws, this very useful analysis of constitutional law in Hong Kong provides essential information on the country’s sources of constitutional law, its form of government, and its administrative structure. Lawyers who handle transnational matters will appreciate the clarifications of particular terminology and its application. Throughout the book, the treatment emphasizes the specific points at which constitutional law affects the interpretation of legal rules and procedure. Thorough coverage by a local expert fully describes the political system, the historical background, the role of treaties, legislation, jurisprudence, and administrative regulations. The discussion of the form and structure of government outlines its legal status, the jurisdiction and workings of the central state organs, the subdivisions of the state, its decentralized authorities, and concepts of citizenship. Special issues include the legal position of aliens, foreign relations, taxing and spending powers, emergency laws, the power of the military, and the constitutional relationship between church and state. Details are presented in such a way that readers who are unfamiliar with specific terms and concepts in varying contexts will fully grasp their meaning and significance. Its succinct yet scholarly nature, as well as the practical quality of the information it provides, make this book a valuable time-saving tool for both practising and academic jurists. Lawyers representing parties with interests in Hong Kong will welcome this guide, and academics and researchers will appreciate its value in the study of comparative constitutional law.

The context in which constitutional laws and human rights instruments are read is ever-changing, and this is particularly true for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. To understand the application of both national and local legislation and internationally recognized covenants, it is essential to be well acquainted with the documents themselves. Constitutional Law and Human Rights in Hong Kong—A Sourcebook is a one-stop resource for teaching, learning, and researching constitutional law and human rights in Hong Kong. As a handbook of teaching materials suitable for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, it is an indispensable tool for courses such as Hong Kong Constitutional Law, Basic Law, Public Law of Hong Kong, The Law of Human Rights of Hong Kong, International Human Rights Law, International Criminal Law, International Labour Law, Law and Gender, International Environmental Law, Business and Human Rights, and Discrimination Law. Moreover, it is equally useful for teaching and research in the fields of political science, business, and other social sciences. • Up-to-date legislation • Condensed into a single volume • An essential teaching and reference guide • Applicable across multiple legal fields

An examination of China's accommodation of Western constitutional values, in the light of the pending return of British Hong Kong to China. The Joint Declaration which governs the return guarantees a continuance of these values, and this study looks at the resulting tensions between East and West.

On July 1, 2007, Hong Kong celebrated its tenth anniversary as a special administrative region of China. It also marked the first decade of its unique constitutional order in which Hong Kong courts continue to apply and develop the common law but the power of final interpretation of the constitution lies with the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. This book is a collection of chapters by leading constitutional law experts in Hong Kong who examine the interpretive issues and conflicts which have arisen since 1997. Intervention by China in constitutional interpretation has been restrained but each intervention has had significant political and jurisprudential impact. The authors give varied assessments of the struggle for interpretive coherence in the coming decade.