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forward the idea of self-rule.
In Section 1, Annex I of the Joint
Declaration, arrangements for the government and the legislature of
the HKSAR are described separately. The executive authorities shall
abide by the law and shall be accountable to the legislature. When
China and Britain signed the draft agreement, the Executive Council
was accountable to the Legislative Council in that the latter was
consulted on decisions made by the former. Every year, the Governor
gives his policy address at the opening of the new session of the
Legislative Council. Legislation drafted by the Governor-in-Council
is discussed and passed by the Legislative Council. Also, the annual
budget is referred to the Legislative Council for discussion and
comments. Government officials are required to answer questions
addressed by unofficial members relating to executive matters. The
term "accountable" obviously means the executive authority "has an
obligation to explain, elaborate and to consult (the legislature)"'
It cannot be misinterpreted as something akin to a ministerial system or the idea that the Legislative Council will become a policy-making
body and the centre of power, which can appoint and dismiss government officials or overturn the government with a vote of no-confidence, or
even choose the Governor through election. The future government structure will remain one headed by the chief executive. The division
of responsibilities and power between the executive authority and the legislature will remain unchanged. legislature will remain unchanged. The change will be in the system of appointing embers of the Legislative Council. The chief executive
will, in future, be appointed by the Central Government on the basis
of the results of elections or consultation while the legislature will
be constituted by elections. It is evident that the two will be called
into existence through different channels. The prospects of political reforms described by British officials and members of the Executive and
Legislative Councils have obviously deviated from the above mentioned
provisions.