This document says the National People’s Congress adopts the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and states that it will take effect on July 1, 1997.
Decision of the National People’s Congress on the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Adopted at the Third Session of the Seventh National People’s Congress on April 4, 1990) Editorial Notes: 1. This instrument was not given a chapter number under the Legislation Publication Ordinance (Cap. 614). An unofficial reference number, however, is assigned to this instrument in Hong Kong e-Legislation (http://www.elegislation.gov.hk) for identification purposes. This also enables users to carry out a search by reference to the unofficial reference number. 2. This English translation is reproduced from “The Laws of the People’s Republic of China 1990-1992” compiled by the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China. It is for reference only and has no legislative effect. The Third Session of the Seventh National People’s Congress adopts the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, including Annex I: Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Annex II: Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures, Annex III: National Laws to Be Applied in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the designs of the regional flag and regional emblem of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 31 of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China provides: “The State may establish special administrative regions when necessary. The systems to be instituted in special administrative regions shall be prescribed by law enacted by the National People’s Congress in the light of the specific conditions.” The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is constitutional as it is enacted in accordance with the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China and in the light of the specific conditions of Hong Kong. The systems, policies and laws to be instituted after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be based on the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China shall be put into effect as of July 1, 1997.