Hong Kong Basic Law

Hong Kong Basic Law
The Cover of the Basic Law, published by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau
Chinese	香港基本法
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Xiāng gǎng Jī běn fǎ Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Hēung góng gēi bún faat Jyutping Hoeng1 gong2 gei1 bun2 faat3
Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
Traditional Chinese	中華人民共和國香港特別行政區基本法
Simplified Chinese	中华人民共和国香港特别行政区基本法
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Zhōnghúa Rénmín Gònghéguó Xiānggǎng Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū Jīběnfǎ [ Listen ] Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Jūng wàh yàhn màhn guhng wòh gwok hēung góng dahk biht hàhng jing kēui gēi bún faat Jyutping Zung1 waa4 jan4 man4 gung6 wo4 gwok3 hoeng1 gong2 dak6 bit6 hang4 zing3 keoi1 gei1 bun2 faat3

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Zhōnghúa Rénmín Gònghéguó Xiānggǎng Tèbié Xíngzhèngqū Jīběnfǎ [ Listen ]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale Romanization	Jūng wàh yàhn màhn guhng wòh gwok hēung góng dahk biht hàhng jing kēui gēi bún faat
Jyutping	Zung1 waa4 jan4 man4 gung6 wo4 gwok3 hoeng1 gong2 dak6 bit6 hang4 zing3 keoi1 gei1 bun2 faat3

The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is the constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Being a national law of the People's Republic of China, the Basic Law was adopted on 4 April 1990 by the Seventh National People's Congress and signed by President Yang Shangkun.

The Basic Law came into effect on 1 July 1997 when sovereignty over Hong Kong was transferred from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, replacing the Hong Kong's colonial constitution comprising the Letters Patent and the Royal Instructions.

The Basic Law was drafted according to the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed between the Chinese and British governments on 19 December 1984. The Basic Law stipulates the basic policies of China towards the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. As stipulated in the Joint Declaration and following the "one country, two systems" principle, socialism practised in the PRC would not be extended to Hong Kong. Instead, Hong Kong would continue its capitalist system and way of life for 50 years after 1997.

The Hong Kong Basic Law sets out the sources of law, the relationship between the Hong Kong SAR and the Central Government, the fundamental rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents, and the structure and functions of the branches of local government, and it provides for the amendment and interpretation of the Basic Law. The courts of Hong Kong are given the power to review acts of the executive or legislature and declare them invalid if they are inconsistent with the Basic Law.

The source of authority for the Basic Law is somewhat controversial, with most Chinese legal scholars arguing that the Basic Law is a purely domestic legislation deriving its authority from the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, and with some legal scholars arguing that the Basic Law derives its authority directly from the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The argument is relevant in that it affects the level of authority that the PRC has in making any changes to the Basic Law. It is also essential in determining the Hong Kong courts' jurisdiction in issues related to the PRC domestic legislations.