文档介绍：SOSC005 Government and Politics
Lecture 3
One Country, Two Systems
(A) The Origins
The Three Unequal Treaties
After 1949, China could take back HK but did not because of strategic reasons:
A window to the West
A center that supply China with goods, information, etc..
China’s exports to HK earned foreign exchange.
China did not take back Macau for fear of arousing concern in HK.
“長期打算,充份利用”.
In 79-82, Britain raised the issue of HK’s future to China.
China’s major concern:
sovereignty and national dignity;
how to maintain HK’s stability and prosperity;
its demonstration effect to Taiwan.
“One Country, Two Systems, High Autonomy, Hong Kong people ruling Hong Kong”(一國兩制、高度自治、港人治港)
The Essence
Two systems: capitalism and socialism
Fifty years unchanged: capitalist system and way of life (原有資本主義生活方式五十年不變). HK protects private property.
Independent executive, legislative and judiciary power, including the power of final adjudication (終審權).
“HK people ruling HK” means mainland officials will not be used to rule HK.
Legal Basis
Joint Declaration : 中華人民共和國對香港的基本方針政策
Article 31 of Chinese Constitution: 國家在必要時得設立特別行政區。在特別行政區內實行的制度按照具體情況由全國人民代表大會以法律規定。
(C ) Institutional Features
The Sovereignty Aspects
Central Govt responsible for foreign affairs and national defense.
CE and major officials have to be formally appointed by the Central Govt.
The laws enacted in HK must be reported to NPCSC (人大常委) for record (備案).
Some laws of PRC are enforceable in HK; NPCSC can change the list of laws that are enforced in HK (listed in Annex III).
Central govt can declare a state of emergency in HK ().
第十七條
香港特別行政區的立法機關制定的法律須報全國人民代表大會常務委員會備案。備案不影響該法律的生效。 [人大常委]…如認為香港特別行政區立法機關制定的任何法律不符合本法關於中央管理的事務及中央和香港特別行政區關係的條款,可將有關法律發回,但不作修改。經全國人民代表大會常務委員會發回的法律立即失效。
第十八條
全國人民代表大會常務委員會決定宣佈戰爭狀態或因香港特別行政區發生香港特別行政區政府不能控制的危及國家統一或安全的動亂而決定香港進入緊急狀態,中央人民政府可發佈命令將全國性法律在香港特別行政區實施。
Ultimate power to interpret the BL lies with NPCSC (人大常委).
Cases involve affairs that are responsib