In response to media enquiries regarding the 2016 Legislative Council election, a spokesman for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government today (July 30) replies as follows:

     Article 26 of the Basic Law stipulates that “Permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall have the right to vote and the right to stand for election in accordance with law”.  The HKSAR Government all along respects and safeguards the rights enjoyed by Hong Kong residents according to law, including the aforesaid rights to vote and to stand for election.  At the same time, the HKSAR Government has a duty to implement and uphold the Basic Law and to ensure that all elections will be conducted in accordance with the Basic Law and relevant electoral laws.

     The constitutional and legal status of the HKSAR is very clear.  Article 1 of the Basic Law points out that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).  Article 12 of the Basic Law states that the HKSAR shall be a local administrative region of the PRC, which shall enjoy a high degree of autonomy and come directly under the Central People’s Government.  Further, Article 159(4) of the Basic Law stipulates that no amendment to the Basic Law shall contravene the established basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong (i.e. Hong Kong should be a special administrative region of the PRC under the “one country, two systems” principle). 

     The Legislative Council (LegCo) is the legislature of the HKSAR under the Basic Law.  Its functions and other related matters are governed by Articles 66 to 79 of the Basic Law.  In other words, the Basic Law is the genesis of the establishment and function of the LegCo.  Moreover, according to Article 104 of the Basic Law, members of the LegCo must swear to uphold the Basic Law and swear allegiance to the HKSAR before assuming office.

     “Independence of the HKSAR” is inconsistent with the constitutional and legal status of the HKSAR as stipulated in the Basic Law, as well as the established basic policies of the PRC regarding Hong Kong.  Upholding the Basic Law is a basic legal duty of a legislator.  If a person advocates or promotes the independence of the HKSAR, he cannot possibly uphold the Basic Law or fulfil his duties as a legislator.

     The HKSAR Government notes that the Returning Officers for geographical constituencies and functional constituencies have made various decisions on the nomination of candidates in batches during the past few days.  Among those who were validly nominated as candidates, some have submitted the Confirmation Form to the Returning Officers while some have not.  The Returning Officer for the New Territories West geographical constituency has also decided that the nomination of a candidate was invalid as he did not comply with section 40(1)(b)(i) of the Legislative Council Ordinance (Cap 542).  The HKSAR Government supports the making of decisions on the validity of nomination by the Returning Officers in accordance with the law.  The Returning Officers have the duty as well as power to make those decisions according to the relevant electoral laws.

     Regarding the Returning Officer’s decision that the nomination of a candidate was invalid as he did not comply with section 40(1)(b)(i) of the Legislative Council Ordinance, the HKSAR Government agrees to and supports the decision by the Returning Officer.  The candidate cannot possibly comply with the requirements of the relevant electoral laws, since advocating or promoting “independence of the HKSAR” is contrary to the content of the declaration that the law requires a candidate to make to uphold the Basic Law and pledge allegiance to the HKSAR.

     Decisions made by the Returning Officers are aimed to ensure that the LegCo election is held in strict accordance with the Basic Law and other applicable laws in an open, honest and fair manner.  There is no question of any political censorship, restriction of the freedom of speech or deprivation of the right to stand for elections as alleged by some members of the community.

Ends/Saturday, July 30, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:22

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