Legislative Council of Hong Kong
The Legislative Council of Hong Kong (LegCo) is the unicameral legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It is one of the key institutions established under the principle of "one country, two systems" post the handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China in 1997.
History
The roots of the Legislative Council can be traced back to the establishment of the Consultative Council in 1844 under British rule, which later evolved into the Legislative Council in 1883. Initially, it was composed solely of government officials, but over time, unofficial members were added, increasing representation.
After the handover in 1997:
- The Basic Law of Hong Kong became the constitutional framework, ensuring the legislative independence of the HKSAR.
- The LegCo was restructured to include both directly elected and indirectly elected members, reflecting the semi-democratic system.
Structure and Composition
The Legislative Council comprises:
- 70 Members (since the 2021 election, down from 70 previously):
- 35 from geographical constituencies through direct elections
- 35 from functional constituencies representing various sectors of society
The President of the Council presides over meetings and maintains order, and is elected by the members among themselves.
Functions and Powers
The LegCo has several key functions:
- Legislation: Enacts, amends, or repeals laws.
- Scrutiny: Examines and approves government budgets, taxation, and public expenditure.
- Oversight: Monitors the government's administration, including the ability to initiate impeachment proceedings against principal officials.
- Endorsement: Endorses or rejects appointments to major public offices.
Recent Developments
In recent years, the LegCo has been at the center of political debates and protests:
- In 2019, widespread protests demanded greater democracy, including changes to the electoral system of the LegCo.
- The National Security Law imposed by China in 2020 has had significant implications on the operations and freedoms of the LegCo.
- The electoral system was reformed in 2021 to ensure that only "patriots" could run for office, significantly reducing the number of directly elected seats.
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