The political framework of Hong Kong SAR, China

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders

Head of State: President of China, Xi Jinping (since 14 March 2013) - Chinese Communist Party
Chief Executive: John Lee Ka-Chiu (since 1 July 2022).

Next Election Dates

President: March 2028
Chief Executive: 2027

Main Political Parties

Hong Kong is not independent of Chinese politics. As such, there are no governing political parties. Legislative matters are largely carried out through the business or professional sectors; political parties will often officially register under the auspices of a company or business corporation. The main parties include:

- Democratic Alliance for Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB): centre to centre-right, conservative, pro-government
- Federation of Hong Kong and Kowloon Labour Unions (HKCTU): liberal, pro-government
- Business and Professional Alliance for Hong Kong (BPA): conservative, liberal
- Liberal Party (LP): centre-right, conservative
- New Territories Association of Societies (NTAS): Chinese nationalist, conservatism
- Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers (HKFEW): pro-Beijing teachers union
- Roundtable (RT): moderate, conservative
- Professional Power (PP): centrist
- Kowloon West New Dynamic (KWND): centre-right
- New Prospect (NPHK): conservatism
- New Century Forum (NCF-1): middle-class-oriented political group.

Executive Power

The territory is governed by a Chief Executive, elected for five years by a college of 1,500 large voters including parliamentarians, eminent personalities and representatives of the professional sectors. The Chief Executive represents Hong Kong to the authorities of the People's Republic of China.

The government answers to the Chief Executive and comprises 15 policy bureaux, each headed by a Secretary. In hierarchical order, the three main government posts are the Chief Secretary (who is second to the Chief Executive), the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Justice. If the Chief Executive is unable to conduct his functions temporarily, they will be conducted in this order of precedence by the title holders of the main posts.

In addition, the Chief Executive is assisted by an Executive Council or Exco which includes official members (the 15 Secretaries) and non-official members appointed by the Chief Executive selected among personalities from the business world or from civil companies. The Exco serves as the Council of Ministers by being the venue for the formulation of the government's policies. This council is consulted for all important political decisions. It meets once a week, under the chairmanship of the Chief Executive who should specially justify his decisions in case of disagreement with the majority of its members.

Legislative Power

The unicameral legislative power is conferred to a Legislative Council (LegCo). The Legislative Council is composed of 90 members elected for 4 years, with 20 Members returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections, 40 by election committee and 30 by functional constituencies. The President of the Legislative Council is elected by and from among Members of the Legislative Council.

The council votes for and amends laws and can also introduce any new proposal. It examines and approves the budget, taxes and public expenditure. It is also responsible for monitoring the conduct of the Chief Executive and ensuring the Government appropriately applies its policy. The absence of political responsibility of the ministers can make the Legislative Council limit the control exercised by this assembly on the executive power.

Members are on the Council for four years. The Government is dependent on parliament's support, which is often given through a vote of confidence. The Chief Executive does have the power to dissolve the Legislative Council, but only under specific circumstances, such as if the LegCo refuses to pass a budget or an important bill. He cannot refuse to sign a bill which has been voted in by two-thirds of the parliament.