Hong Kong Chief Executive CY Leung reaffirmed that he possesses “transcending powers” when responding to comments from the Liaison Office before his official visit to Indonesia today.
Zhang Xiaoming, the head of Beijing’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong, controversially said at the weekend that Leung enjoys a special legal position that puts him above the legislature and judiciary in the former British colony.
His remarks drew criticism from pan-democrats who accused Beijing of changing the status of the chief executive. Hong Kong lawyers said the comments had sparked fears about the city’s rule of law and were “regrettable”.
Yesterday Leung argued that, as Hong Kong is a special administrative region, the chief executive acts under the mainland’s authority. He added that the central government appoints the chief executive and the cabinet, thus giving him a “transcending” status over the established systems, reports Mingpao.
He also argued that the chief executive is not only the government’s leader, but the leader of the entire city.
All of Hong Kong’s autonomy and authority “are under the authorisation of the central government, delegated to the chief executive of whom is appointed by the central government”, Leung said.
He also urged the public to “further understand the Basic Law” and the current political frameworks.
Additional reporting: Reuters
Reader Interactions