Hong Kong Basic Law

FEATURED COVERAGE

Legislation Analysis: NPC Standing Committee Approves Overhaul of Hong Kong’s Electoral System
Our comprehensive explanation and analysis of Hong Kong’s new China-imposed election rules.

Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
中华人民共和国香港特别行政区基本法

[Current Text: Chinese, English]

(adopted Apr. 4, 1990, effective July 1, 1997)

PRIOR BILL: 2016 Interpretation

  • Status: Interpretation passed
  • Interpretive Body (Vote): NPCSC (155–0–0)
  • Requester & Drafter: Council of Chairpersons
  • Provisions Interpreted: Article 104
  • Legislative History & Text
    • NPCSC deliberation – only round: Nov. 5–7, 2016 (Chinese, English)
  • Legislative Record
  • Press Conference: NPCSC General Office (Dec. 30, 2022)

NPC Observer Coverage

Annex I: Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
附件一：香港特别行政区行政长官的产生办法

[Current Text: Chinese, English]

(adopted Apr. 4, 1990, effective July 1, 1997; amended as approved and effective Aug. 28, 2010; revised Mar. 30, 2021, effective Mar. 31, 2021)

  • Status: Revision passed
  • Legislative Body (Vote): NPCSC (167–0–0)
  • Principal Drafters: ☭ Office the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR & NPCSC Hong Kong SAR Basic Law Committee
  • Submitter: Council of Chairpersons
  • Legislative Plans
    • Five-year: N/A
    • Annual: 2021
  • Legislative History & Text
    • NPCSC deliberation – only round: Mar. 29–30, 2021 (Current Text 🔝)
  • Legislative Records [Gazette 2021(4): 653–663]
    • Explanation (Mar. 29, 2021)
    • NPCSC Hong Kong Basic Law Committee Opinion (Mar. 29, 2021)
    • Report on Results of Deliberation (Mar. 30, 2021)
    • Presidential Order (Mar. 31, 2021)

Annex II: Method for the Formation of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Its Voting Procedures
附件二：香港特别行政区立法会的产生办法和表决程序

[Current Text: Chinese, English]

(adopted Apr. 4, 1990, effective July 1, 1997; amended as recorded and effective Aug. 28, 2010; revised Mar. 30, 2021, effective Mar. 31, 2021)

  • Status: Revision passed
  • Legislative Body (Vote): NPCSC (167–0–0)
  • Principal Drafters: ☭ Office of the Central Leading Group on Hong Kong and Macao Affairs, Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR & NPCSC Hong Kong SAR Basic Law Committee
  • Submitter: Council of Chairpersons
  • Legislative Plans
    • Five-year: N/A
    • Annual: 2021
  • Legislative History & Text
    • NPCSC deliberation – only round: Mar. 29 – 30, 2021 (Current Text 🔝)
  • Legislative Records [Gazette 2021(4): 662–671]
    • Explanation (Mar. 29, 2021)
    • NPCSC Hong Kong Basic Law Committee Opinion (Mar. 29, 2021)
    • Report on Results of Deliberation (Mar. 30, 2021)
    • Presidential Order (Mar. 30, 2021)

NPC Observer Coverage

RELATED LAW ›
NPC Decision on Improving the Electoral System of the Hong Kong SAR
全国人民代表大会关于完善香港特别行政区选举制度的决定
(adopted and effective Mar. 11, 2021)

Annex III: National Laws to Be Applied in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
附件三：在香港特别行政区实施的全国性法律

[Current Text: Chinese & English]

(adopted Apr. 4, 1990, effective July 1, 1997; modified July 1, 1997, Nov. 4, 1998, Oct. 27, 2005, Nov. 4, 2017, and June 30, 2020)

Last updated: January 2, 2026, 22:20 EST