Is Hong Kong’s Top Official Above the Law?

Zhang Xiaoming, director of the Chinese government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong, announced that Hong…

Overnight, a media officer for Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has become internet famous after he was caught on camera raising his eyebrows incredulously as Leung declared his “transcendent” position over the three branches of government.

“If his speech has raised so many doubts and speculation, it’s worth [Zhang] considering a clarification”.

The comments made by both Leung and Zhang highlight the deep divide that exists between those that feel the central government in Beijing should determine how Hong Kong’s democracy develops and those who feel it is a matter for the port city’s citizens to decide.

The professor said Zhang’s comments, apparently aimed at boosting the chief executive, have backfired as they pose a threat to the city’s legal cornerstone. But to say Leung was “transcendent” could not mean he had absolute power, he added.

The Secretary for Justice, Mr Rimsky Yuen, SC, joined by some members of the Hong Kong delegation oflegal and arbitration professionals, met with the Indonesian Attorney General, Mr H M Prasetyo, and the Minister of Law and Human Rights, Mr Yasonna Laoly, in Jakarta, Indonesia, today (September 18) to enhance legal exchanges and co-operation between the two places.

His comments alarmed pan-democratic politicians and the Bar Association.

He also urged the public to “further understand the Basic Law” and the current political frameworks.

The discussion should not dwell on the wording, Suen said, as long as Hong Kong still enjoyed judicial independence and the chief executive conducted business in accordance with the law and not above the law.

“Around 50 percent of the tourists are from mainland China”. Obviously he [Leung] should be subject to the Basic Law and to the laws in Hong Kong.