:
dependent territory of the UK scheduled to revert to China in 1997
Capital:
Victoria
Administrative divisions:
none (dependent territory of the UK)
Independence:
none (dependent territory of the UK; the UK signed an agreement with China
on 19 December 1984 to return Hong Kong to China on 1 July 1997; in the
joint declaration, China promises to respect Hong Kong's existing social and
economic systems and lifestyle)
Constitution:
unwritten; partly statutes, partly common law and practice; new Basic Law
approved in March 1990 in preparation for 1997
Legal system:
based on English common law
National holiday:
Liberation Day, 29 August (1945)
Political parties and leaders:
United Democrats of Hong Kong, Martin LEE, chairman; Democratic Alliance for
the Betterment of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Democratic Foundation
Other political or pressure groups:
Cooperative Resources Center, Allen LEE, chairman; Meeting Point, Anthony
CHEUNG, chairman; Association of Democracy and People's Livelihood,
Frederick FUNG Kin Kee, chairman; Liberal Democratic Federation, HEUNG Yee
Kuk; Federation of Trade Unions (pro-China); Hong Kong and Kowloon Trade
Union Council (pro-Taiwan); Confederation of Trade Unions (prodemocracy);
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; Chinese General Chamber of Commerce
(pro-China); Federation of Hong Kong Industries; Chinese Manufacturers'
Association of Hong Kong; Hong Kong Professional Teachers' Union; Hong Kong
Alliance in Support of the Patriotic Democratic Movement in China
Suffrage:
direct election 21 years of age; universal as a permanent resident living in
the territory of Hong Kong for the past seven years indirect election
limited to about 100,000 professionals of electoral college and functional
constituencies
Elections:
Legislative Council:
indirect elections last held 12 September 1991 and direct elections were
held for the first time 15 September 1991 (next to be held in September 1995
when the number of directly-elected seats increases to 20); results -
percent of vote by party NA; seats - (60 total; 21 indirectly elected by
functional constituencies, 18 directly elected, 18 appointed by governor, 3
ex officio members); indirect elections - number of seats by functional
constituency NA; direct elections - UDHK 12, Meeting Point 3, ADPL 1, other
2
Executive branch:
British monarch, governor, chief secretary of the Executive