basis of a separation of powers between the Executive and the Legislature (in particular, no member of the Executive
may be a member of the Legislature), but seeking to retain much of the same kind of balance between the two as exists today [531
Their use of the expression "separation of however, short lived as Deng Xiaoping took and alternatives such as "a restrictive relationship" between Executive and Legislature were employed.
powers" was
against it[54]
30. Under the Basic Law, legislative power and the power to approve taxation and public expenditure is vested in the Legislature (to be called, like its predecessor, the Legislative Council), but bills only become law when signed and promulgated by the Chief Executive. The exclusion of members of the Executive from membership of the Legislature, and the possibility that the Executive would not have sufficient supporters in the Legislature to do government business, requires the introduction of arrangements new to Hong Kong. Provision is made for the Executive to introduce bills and motions (though the mechanics of this have still to be worked out ) and for government officials " to sit in on" meetings of the Legislature and to speak on behalf of the government; and the President of the Legislature is required to give priority to government bills. The power of members of the Legislature themselves to introduce bills is far more restricted than in the present Legislative Council (in which, under Standing Rules and Orders, bills disposing or charging any part of the revenue or other public moneys require government agreement); under the Basic Law, individual members may not introduce bills relating to public expenditure or political structure and bills relating to government policies require
20
30