The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 25th Anniversary Legal Conference on Basic Law "Stability to Prosperity" hosted by the Department of Justice (DoJ) today (May 27) brought together prominent and heavyweight speakers from different sectors, sharing their insights and visions on Hong Kong's long-term development premised on "one country, two systems", the Constitution and the Basic Law.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the implementation of the Basic Law. To further promote and enable the public to have a correct understanding of the fact that the Constitution is the genesis of the Basic Law, and "one country" is the foundation that ensures the continued success of "two systems", the DoJ organised another legal conference on the Basic Law after the legal summit held in 2020. At the conference, the publication of the DoJ's debut Basic Law sourcebook "Basic Law: Selected Drafting Materials and Significant Cases" was also launched. It is a comprehensive record of the formulation and implementation of the Basic Law, and will be conducive in fostering a correct understanding of the relationship between the Constitution and the Basic Law among different sectors of the community.
The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam; Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council Mr Wang Linggui; and Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR Mr Chen Dong delivered their welcome remarks at the opening ceremony.
The Chairperson of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPCSC), Mr Shen Chunyao, then gave a keynote speech, stating that the Basic Law is a national law institutionalising "one country, two systems". He also shared with the audience the Central Authorities' vision and inspiration in the implementation of "one country, two systems", and how Hong Kong's different system could complement the strengths of the Mainland to contribute to the national development.
At the Keynote Dialogue session, the Secretary for Justice, Ms Teresa Cheng, SC, and the Vice-chairperson of the HKSAR Basic Law Committee of the NPCSC, Ms Maria Tam, talked about the 25 years of implementation of the Basic Law, highlighting that by nurturing an accurate understanding of the fundamental principle of "one country, two systems" as well as safeguarding the constitutional order set up by the Constitution and the Basic Law, the HKSAR has transformed from chaos to order, and progressed from stability to prosperity. With the steadfast and successful implementation of "one country, two systems", it would not be necessary for the common law and the legal system in Hong Kong to change.
It was followed by a thematic speech given by former Permanent Judge of the Court of Final Appeal Mr Justice Henry Litton on the interpretation of the Basic Law.
Four panel discussions were held afterwards with renowned speakers from the political, financial and legal sectors and academia having insightful discussions on various topics, such as the joint force of the enactment of the National Security Law and the improvement of the electoral system, Hong Kong's vibrant capitalist system guaranteed by the Basic Law, the continued development of the common law under "one country, two systems", and the constitutional safeguards to Hong Kong's free economy provided by the Basic Law. They also explored how the Basic Law continues to protect the common law and the capitalist system in Hong Kong under "one country, two systems", thereby strengthening and enhancing Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre.
For more information on the Legal Conference on Basic Law "Stability to Prosperity" and to revisit the event, please visit the Legal Hub's website.
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