TNAG-2118-FCO40-3024-Future-of-Hong-Kong-general-1990 — Page 52

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

11.

Another fascinating area of interplay

relates to the interpretation of the Basic

Law. Here we have the overlap between a

common law system where interpretation of

the law rests with the courts and the

Chinese system (which is common to socialist

countries) where it rests with the

legislature, in this case the National

People's Congress.

The Joint Declaration

But

and the Basic Law provide that the HKSAR

shall have independent judicial power

including that of final adjudication.

the Basic Law itself is law not only for

Hong Kong but for the rest of China also.

Since the Basic Law is enacted by the

National People's Congress, the NPC cannot

be excluded completely from interpetation of

it. In fact the Basic Law goes a

considerable way in conferring judicial

power of interpretation of the Basic Law on

the SAR courts.

7

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