Editing Hong Kong (section)

== Government and politics ==
{{Main|Government of Hong Kong|Politics of Hong Kong|Elections in Hong Kong|Separation of powers in Hong Kong}}
[[File:Legco_Complex_Chamber_20240420.jpg|thumb|alt=Large, round room with desks and a dais|Since 2012, the legislature has met in the [[Tamar, Hong Kong|Tamar]] [[Legislative Council Complex]].]]

Hong Kong is a [[Special administrative regions of China|special administrative region of China]], with executive, legislative, and judicial powers [[Devolution|devolved]] from the [[Government of China|national government]].<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|p=80}}</ref> The Sino-British Joint Declaration provided for economic and administrative continuity through the handover,<ref name="Carroll181" /> resulting in an [[Executive (government)|executive-led]] governing system largely inherited from the territory's history as a British colony.<ref name="BasicLaw15">{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|pp=66, 80–81}}</ref> Under these terms and the "one country, two systems" principle, the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law of Hong Kong]] is the regional constitution.<ref>{{harvnb|''Ng Ka Ling and Another v the Director of Immigration''}}</ref> The regional government is composed of three branches:
* ''Executive:'' The [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong|Chief Executive]] is responsible for enforcing regional law,<ref name="BasicLaw15" /> can force reconsideration of legislation,<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|p=77}}</ref> and appoints [[Executive Council of Hong Kong|Executive Council]] members and [[Principal officials of Hong Kong|principal officials]].<ref>{{harvnb|Young|Cullen|2010|p=39}}.</ref> Acting with the Executive Council, the [[King-in-Council#The Commonwealth|Chief Executive-in-Council]] can propose new bills, issue [[Primary and secondary legislation|subordinate legislation]], and has authority to [[Dissolution of parliament|dissolve]] the legislature.<ref>{{harvnb|Adaptation of Laws Guidelines|1998|p=7}}</ref> In [[state of emergency|states of emergency]] or public danger, the Chief Executive-in-Council is further empowered to enact any regulation necessary to restore public order.<ref>{{harvnb|Emergency Regulations Ordinance}}.</ref>
* ''Legislature:'' The unicameral [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] enacts regional law, approves budgets, and has the power to [[impeachment|impeach]] a sitting chief executive.<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|p=73}}</ref>
* ''[[Judiciary of Hong Kong|Judiciary]]:'' The [[Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal]] and lower courts interpret laws and overturn those inconsistent with the Basic Law.<ref name="Gittings150">{{harvnb|Gittings|2009|p=150}}.</ref> Judges are appointed by the chief executive on the advice of a recommendation commission.<ref>{{harvnb|Gittings|2009|p=153}}.</ref>

The chief executive is the [[head of government]] and serves for a maximum of two five-year terms. The [[State Council of China|State Council]] (led by the [[Premier of China]]) appoints the chief executive after nomination by the [[Election Committee (Hong Kong)|Election Committee]], which is composed of 1500 business, community, and government leaders.<ref>{{harvnb|Young|Cullen|2010|pp=13–16}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter IV}} Article 45.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Amendment to the Basic Law Annex I}}</ref>

The Legislative Council has 90 members, each serving a four-year term. Twenty are directly elected from [[Geographical constituency|geographical constituencies]], thirty-five represent [[Functional constituency (Hong Kong)|functional constituencies]] (FC), and forty are chosen by an [[Election Committee (constituency)|election committee]] consisting of representatives appointed by the Chinese central government.<ref name="overhaul_HK">{{cite news|title=China moves to overhaul Hong Kong politics, squeezing democratic opposition|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-parliament-hongkong/chinas-parliament-moves-to-overhaul-hong-kongs-electoral-system-idUSKBN2B30RC|date=11 March 2021|work=Reuters|access-date=6 September 2022|archive-date=12 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312063854/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-parliament-hongkong/chinas-parliament-moves-to-overhaul-hong-kongs-electoral-system-idUSKBN2B30RC|url-status=live}}</ref> Thirty FC councillors are selected from limited electorates representing sectors of the economy or special interest groups,<ref name="LegCoVoting">{{harvnb|Guidelines on the Legislative Council Election|2016|pp=3–4}}</ref> and the remaining five members are nominated from sitting [[District councils of Hong Kong|district council]] members and selected in region-wide [[double direct election]]s.<ref>{{harvnb|Guidelines on the Legislative Council Election|2016|pp=3, 52–53}}</ref> All popularly elected members are chosen by [[proportional representation]]. The 30 limited electorate functional constituencies fill their seats using [[First-past-the-post voting|first-past-the-post]] or [[Instant-runoff voting|instant-runoff]] voting.<ref name="LegCoVoting" />

Twenty-two political parties had representatives elected to the Legislative Council in the [[2016 Hong Kong legislative election|2016 election]].<ref>{{harvnb|LegCo and DC Member Political Affiliations|2017}}</ref> These parties have aligned themselves into three ideological groups: the [[Pro-Beijing camp (Hong Kong)|pro-Beijing camp]] (the current government), the [[Pro-democracy camp (Hong Kong)|pro-democracy camp]], and [[Localism in Hong Kong|localist groups]].<ref>{{harvnb|Bush|Whelan-Wuest|2017}}.</ref> The Chinese Communist Party does not have an official political presence in Hong Kong, and its members do not run in local elections.<ref>{{harvnb|Sala|2016}}.</ref> Hong Kong is represented in the [[National People's Congress]] by 36 deputies chosen through an electoral college and 203 delegates in the [[Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference]] appointed by the central government.<ref name="NationalReps" />

[[File: Court of Final Appeal Building.jpg|alt=The grey dome and front gable of a granite neo-classical building, with a skyscraper in the background against a clear blue sky|left|thumb|The [[Court of Final Appeal Building]] formerly housed the [[Supreme Court (Hong Kong)|Supreme Court]] and the [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]].]]
[[Law of the People's Republic of China|Chinese national law]] does not generally apply in the region, and Hong Kong is treated as a separate jurisdiction.<ref name="Gittings150" /> Its judicial system is based on [[common law]], continuing the legal tradition established during British rule.<ref>{{harvnb|Tam|Chan|Choi Kwan|Leung|2012|pp=80–81}}</ref> Local courts may refer to precedents set in [[English law]] and overseas jurisprudence.<ref>{{harvnb|Gittings|2009|p=148}}.</ref> However, [[Criminal Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China|mainland criminal procedure law]] applies to cases investigated by the [[Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR]].<ref name="NPC Observer">{{cite web |title=Legislation Summary: Hong Kong National Security Law |url=https://npcobserver.com/2020/06/30/legislation-summary-hong-kong-national-security-law/ |website=NPC Observer |date=30 June 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702162405/https://npcobserver.com/2020/06/30/legislation-summary-hong-kong-national-security-law/ |archive-date=2 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> Interpretative and amending power over the Basic Law and jurisdiction over acts of state lie with the central authority, making regional courts ultimately subordinate to the mainland's [[socialist law|socialist]] [[Civil law (legal system)|civil law]] system.<ref>{{harvnb|Jordan|1997|p=335}}.</ref> Decisions made by the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]] override any territorial judicial process.<ref name="HCAL185/2016">{{harvnb|''Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Another v the President of the Legislative Council''}}</ref> Furthermore, in circumstances where the Standing Committee declares a state of emergency in Hong Kong, the State Council may enforce national law in the region.<ref name="BasicLawA18">{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter II}} Article 18.</ref>

The territory's jurisdictional independence is most apparent in its [[Visa policy of Hong Kong|immigration]] and taxation policies. The [[Immigration Department (Hong Kong)|Immigration Department]] issues [[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport|passports for permanent residents]] which differ from those of the mainland or Macau,<ref>{{harvnb|Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance}}</ref> and the region maintains a [[Boundaries of Hong Kong|regulated border]] with the rest of the country. All travellers between Hong Kong and China and Macau must pass through border controls, regardless of nationality.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/contactus/control_points.html |title=Control Point Locations |publisher=[[Immigration Department (Hong Kong)|Immigration Department]] |access-date=18 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122092430/http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/contactus/control_points.html |archive-date=22 November 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mainland Chinese citizens do not have [[right of abode in Hong Kong]] and are subject to immigration controls.<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter II}} Article 22.</ref> Public finances are handled separately from the national government; taxes levied in Hong Kong do not fund the central authority.<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter V}} Article 106.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Public Finance Facts|2018}}.</ref>

The [[Hong Kong Garrison]] of the [[People's Liberation Army]] is responsible for the region's defence.<ref>{{harvnb|Lendon|2017}}.</ref> Although the [[Chairman of the Central Military Commission (China)|Chairman of the Central Military Commission]] is [[Supreme Military Command of the People's Republic of China|supreme commander]] of the armed forces,<ref>{{harvnb|Constitution of the People's Republic of China}} Chapter 3 §&nbsp;4 (93).</ref> the regional government may request assistance from the garrison.<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter II}} Article 14.</ref> Hong Kong residents are not required to perform military service, and current law has no provision for local enlistment, so its defence is composed entirely of non-Hongkongers.<ref>{{harvnb|Mok|Lee|2015}}.</ref>

The central government and [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] handle diplomatic matters, but Hong Kong retains the ability to maintain separate economic and cultural [[Foreign relations of Hong Kong|relations with foreign nations]].<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter VII}} Article 152.</ref> The territory actively participates in the [[World Trade Organization]], the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] forum, the [[International Olympic Committee]], and many [[United Nations]] agencies.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.unicef.org.hk/en/ |title=Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF |publisher=[[UNICEF]] |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228171638/https://www.unicef.org.hk/en/ |archive-date=28 December 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unhcr.org/hk/en/ |title=UNHCR Hong Kong |publisher=[[United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees]] |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054213/http://www.unhcr.org/hk/en/ |archive-date=28 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doj.gov.hk/eng/laws/interlaw.html |title=List of Treaties in Force and Applicable to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |publisher=[[Department of Justice (Hong Kong)|Department of Justice]] |date=25 October 2017 |access-date=27 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171228054117/http://www.doj.gov.hk/eng/laws/interlaw.html |archive-date=28 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> The regional government maintains [[Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office|trade offices]] in [[Greater China]] and other nations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.hk/en/about/govdirectory/oohk.htm |title=Offices Outside Hong Kong |publisher=Hong Kong Government |access-date=18 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614040108/https://www.gov.hk/en/about/govdirectory/oohk.htm |archive-date=14 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The imposition of the [[2020 Hong Kong national security law|Hong Kong national security law]] by the [[National People's Congress decision on Hong Kong national security legislation|central government in Beijing]] in June 2020 resulted in the suspension of bilateral extradition treaties by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Finland, and Ireland.<ref name=rgmsus/> The United States ended its preferential economic and trade treatment of Hong Kong in July 2020 because it was no longer able to distinguish Hong Kong as a separate entity from the People's Republic of China.<ref name="rgmsus">{{cite news |title=Ireland suspends its extradition treaty with Hong Kong |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-ireland-suspends-its-extradition-treaty-with-hong-kong/ |agency=Reuters |publisher=The Globe and Mail Inc |date=23 October 2020 |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-date=23 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201023235610/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-ireland-suspends-its-extradition-treaty-with-hong-kong/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="bbcpref">{{cite news |title=Trump ends preferential economic treatment for Hong Kong |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53412598 |publisher=BBC |date=15 July 2020 |access-date=23 October 2020 |archive-date=17 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201117140801/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53412598 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the [[Safeguarding National Security Ordinance]] was passed by the Legislative Council to grant officials "even more powers to crack down on opposition to [[Government of China|Beijing]] and the Hong Kong government" and includes penalties such as life imprisonment for political crimes such as [[treason]] and [[insurrection]]. Critics state that this expansion "will strike a lasting blow to the partial autonomy the city had been promised by China [in the [[Sino-British Joint Declaration]]]."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-20 |title=Hong Kong Adopts Sweeping Security Laws, Bowing to Beijing |website=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-article-23.html |access-date=2024-03-21 |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320033023/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/19/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-article-23.html |url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Administrative divisions ===
{{Main|Areas of Hong Kong|Districts of Hong Kong|List of towns in Hong Kong}}

Hong Kong's administrative divisions are divided into three levels: [[Areas of Hong Kong|Areas]] (區域), [[Districts of Hong Kong|Districts]] (地區), and Sub-districts (分區).<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=各區域及地區 AREAS AND DISTRICTS |url=https://www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/tc/hkpr15/06.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424161628/https://www.rvd.gov.hk/doc/tc/hkpr15/06.pdf |archive-date=2022-04-24 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Rating and Valuation Department, Government of Hong Kong}}</ref> Hong Kong is administratively divided into three areas: [[Hong Kong Island]], [[Kowloon]], and the [[New Territories]]. They are further divided into 18 districts. The area of Hong Kong Island has four districts, the area of Kowloon has five districts, and the area of the New Territories has nine districts.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Home Affairs Department – My Districts |url=https://www.had.gov.hk/en/18_districts/my_map.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901161227/https://www.had.gov.hk/en/18_districts/my_map.htm |archive-date=2024-09-01 |access-date=2024-09-01 |website=Home Affairs Department, Government of Hong Kong}}</ref> Each district is represented by a [[District councils of Hong Kong|district council]]. The district councils advise the government on local issues such as public facility provisioning, community programme maintenance, cultural promotion, and environmental policy.<ref name="district">{{harvnb|District Administration Facts|2016}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{harvnb|District Councils Ordinance}}.</ref><ref name="dc2023_gld01" />

{{As of|2024|post=,}} there are a total of 470 district council seats, 88 of which are directly elected.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 District Council Ordinary Election – Election Brief |url=https://www.elections.gov.hk/dc2023/eng/ebrief.html#6 |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=www.elections.gov.hk}}</ref> In May 2023, the government proposed [[2023 Hong Kong electoral changes|reforms to the District Council electoral system]] which further cut the number of directly elected seats from 452 to 88, and total seats from 479 to 470. A requirement that district council candidates be vetted and approved by the [[District Council Eligibility Review Committee]] was also proposed. The Legislative Council approved the reforms in July 2023.<ref name="dc2023_freepress01" /><ref name="dc2023_gld01" /><ref name="dc2023_gld02" />

{{Hong Kong districts imagemap}}

=== Political reforms and sociopolitical issues ===
{{Main|Democratic development in Hong Kong|Human rights in Hong Kong}}
[[File:A new banner on the lion rock -umbrellarevolution -umbrellamovement -occupyhk -occupyhongkong (16134715622).jpg|thumb|A yellow vertical protest banner which read "We demand real universal suffrage" was hung on [[Lion Rock]] during the [[2014 Hong Kong protests]]]]

Hong Kong is governed by a [[hybrid regime]] that is not fully [[Representative democracy|representative]] of the population. [[Legislative Council of Hong Kong|Legislative Council]] members elected by functional constituencies composed of professional and special interest groups are accountable to these narrow corporate electorates and not the general public. This electoral arrangement has guaranteed a [[Pro-Beijing camp (Hong Kong)|pro-Beijing camp]] majority in the legislature since the handover. Similarly, the chief executive is selected by establishment politicians and corporate members of the Election Committee rather than directly elected.<ref name="hybridregime">{{harvnb|Cheng|2016|p=387}}.</ref> Despite [[universal suffrage]] being established as ultimate goals for the election of the chief executive and all members of the Legislative Council in [[Hong Kong Basic Law Article 45|Articles 45]] and 68 of the basic law,<ref>{{harvnb|Basic Law Chapter IV}} Articles 45, 68.</ref> the legislature is only partially directly elected, and the executive continues to be nominated by an unrepresentative body.<ref name="hybridregime" /> The government has been repeatedly petitioned to introduce direct elections for these positions, but has not introduced these direct elections as of 2024.<ref>{{harvnb|Wong|Lim|2017}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Ming|2006}}.</ref>

Ethnic minorities (except those of European ancestry) have marginal representation in government and often experience discrimination in housing, education, and employment.<ref>{{harvnb|Ngo|Cheung|2016}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Zhao|2015}}.</ref> Employment vacancies and public service appointments frequently have language requirements which minority job seekers do not meet, and language education resources remain inadequate for Chinese learners.<ref>{{harvnb|Chao|2013}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Lhatoo|2015}}.</ref> [[Foreign domestic helpers in Hong Kong|Foreign domestic helpers]], mostly women from the Philippines and Indonesia, have little protection under regional law.<ref>{{cite web |last=Raquel Carvalho and Peace Chiu |date=25 February 2018 |title=Fed up with human trafficking, Hong Kong migrant workers hold vigil demanding justice |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2134591/fed-human-trafficking-hong-kong-migrant-workers-hold-vigil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428161445/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-crime/article/2134591/fed-human-trafficking-hong-kong-migrant-workers-hold-vigil |archive-date=28 April 2023 |access-date=24 June 2020 |website=[[South China Morning Post]]}}</ref> Although they live and work in Hong Kong, these workers are not treated as ordinary residents and do not have the right of abode in the territory.<ref>{{harvnb|"Meanings of Right of Abode and Other Terms", Immigration Department}}</ref> [[Sex trafficking in Hong Kong|Sex trafficking]] is also an issue,<ref>{{cite web |last=Tony Read |date=8 July 2016 |title=Hong Kong must lead the fight against human trafficking, rather than just do the bare minimum |url=https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1986535/hong-kong-must-lead-fight-against-human-trafficking-rather |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428161532/https://www.scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1986535/hong-kong-must-lead-fight-against-human-trafficking-rather |archive-date=28 April 2023 |access-date=24 June 2020 |website=South China Morning Post}}</ref> local, mainland Chinese, and foreign women have been trafficked for sex in [[Prostitution in Hong Kong|brothels]], homes, and businesses in the city.<ref>{{cite web |last=Astrid Zweynert |date=22 October 2015 |title=New ways to help Hong Kong's human trafficking victims |url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2015/1022/New-ways-to-help-Hong-Kong-s-human-trafficking-victims |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428161341/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Making-a-difference/Change-Agent/2015/1022/New-ways-to-help-Hong-Kong-s-human-trafficking-victims |archive-date=28 April 2023 |access-date=24 June 2020 |website=[[Christian Science Monitor]] |publisher=[[Thomson Reuters Foundation]] |quote=The US State Department's 2014 Trafficking in Persons report said people from mainland China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, Cambodia, and other Southeast Asian countries as well as Colombia, Chad, and Uganda had become victims of sex trafficking and forced labor in Hong Kong.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Jason Wordie |date=16 January 2016 |title=Human trafficking in Hong Kong: hidden in plain sight |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1901109/human-trafficking-hong-kong-hidden-plain-sight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230428161241/https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/article/1901109/human-trafficking-hong-kong-hidden-plain-sight |archive-date=28 April 2023 |access-date=24 June 2020 |website=[[South China Morning Post]] |quote=Likewise, legions of mainland prostitutes form a highly visible yet officially clandestine workforce in certain parts of Hong Kong. Many of these women, according to informed sources within the sex-worker sorority, have been trafficked.}}</ref>

The Joint Declaration guarantees the [[Basic Law of Hong Kong]] for 50 years after the handover.<ref name="Carroll181" /> It does not specify how Hong Kong will be governed after 2047, and the central government's role in determining the territory's future system of government is the subject of political debate and speculation. Hong Kong's political and judicial systems may be integrated with China's at that time, or the territory may continue to be administered separately.<ref>{{harvnb|Cheung|2016}}.</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Cheung|2015}}.</ref> However, in response to [[2019–2020 Hong Kong protests|large-scale protests in 2019 and 2020]], the [[Standing Committee of the National People's Congress]] passed the controversial [[2020 Hong Kong national security law|Hong Kong national security law]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hernández |first1=Javier C. |title=Harsh Penalties, Vaguely Defined Crimes: Hong Kong's Security Law Explained |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-explain.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701032003/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/30/world/asia/hong-kong-security-law-explain.html |archive-date=1 July 2020 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=The New York Times |access-date=2 July 2020 |date=30 June 2020}}</ref> The law criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign elements and establishes the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the CPG in the HKSAR, an investigative office under Central People's Government authority immune from HKSAR jurisdiction. Some of the aforementioned acts were previously considered protected speech under Hong Kong law.<ref name="NPC Observer" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Hong Kong National Security Law Promulgated, Came into Effect June 30, 2020 |url=https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/200701-hong-kong-national-security-law.html |website=[[Morrison & Foerster]] |access-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702163941/https://www.mofo.com/resources/insights/200701-hong-kong-national-security-law.html |archive-date=2 July 2020 |date=1 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> The United Kingdom considers the law to be a serious violation of the Joint Declaration.<ref>{{cite web |last1=James |first1=William |title=UK says China's security law is serious violation of Hong Kong treaty |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-protests-britain/uk-says-chinas-security-law-is-serious-violation-of-hong-kong-treaty-idUSKBN2425LL |website=Reuters |access-date=2 July 2020 |date=1 July 2020 |archive-date=2 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702015311/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-hongkong-protests-britain/uk-says-chinas-security-law-is-serious-violation-of-hong-kong-treaty-idUSKBN2425LL |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2020, the Hong Kong Police arrested seven pro-[[democracy]] politicians over tussles with pro-Beijing politicians in the Legislative Council in May. They were charged with contempt and interfering with members of the council, while none of the pro-Beijing lawmakers were detained.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-54768209|title=Hong Kong pro-democracy politicians arrested|work=BBC News|date=November 2020|access-date=1 November 2020|archive-date=1 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101110236/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-54768209|url-status=live}}</ref> Annual commemorations of the [[1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre]] were also cancelled amidst fears of violating the national security law.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hong Kong churches drop Tiananmen tributes after 33 years amid arrest fears |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/30/hong-kong-churches-drop-tiananmen-tributes-after-33-years-amid-arrest-fears |access-date=31 May 2022 |work=Agence France-Presse |via=The Guardian |date=30 May 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530185147/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/30/hong-kong-churches-drop-tiananmen-tributes-after-33-years-amid-arrest-fears |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2021, the Chinese central government unilaterally [[2021 Hong Kong electoral changes|changed Hong Kong's electoral system]] and established the [[Candidate Eligibility Review Committee]], which would be tasked with screening and evaluating political candidates for their "patriotism", effectively crushing the remainder of the [[Pro-democracy camp (Hong Kong)|pro-democracy camp]].<ref name="france2420210311"/>

In February 2024, [[Xia Baolong]], the head of the [[Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office]], said that the "[[one country, two systems]]" principle would be kept permanently.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheung |first=Ezra |last2=Lo |first2=Hoi-ying |last3=Wu |first3=Willa |date=2024-02-26 |title=Hong Kong governing principle to be permanent feature, top Beijing official says |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3253216/beijing-attaches-great-importance-hong-kong-countrys-global-finance-hub-xia-baolong-tells-local |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240226191728/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3253216/beijing-attaches-great-importance-hong-kong-countrys-global-finance-hub-xia-baolong-tells-local |archive-date=26 February 2024 |access-date=2024-03-27 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}</ref>