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New Territories Administration

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

The New Territories is administered as an integral part of Hong Kong, but in a different way

from the urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The New Territories come under a district office system with the district officer largely drawing his authority from his responsibilities as a land officer.

The system has been modified to keep pace with changing times. These changes have become more evident in the past few years with the development of six new towns which will house more than two and a half million people, smaller-scale public development in various rural areas, and considerable private development. The six new towns are Tsuen Wan, Tuen Mun, Sha Tin, Yuen Long, Tai Po and the Fanling - Sheung Shui – Shek Wu Hui region. A further new town is to be built at Junk Bay and another is planned for Ma On Shan.

Since 1974, the New Territories Administration has been headed by a secretary who has overall responsibility for co-ordinating all government activities in the New Territories, particularly those relating to development, community building and services, land, and security. In November the administration was restructured to become the City and New Territories Administration with a regional secretary appointed for New Territories affairs. Traditional links between the government and the people are maintained through rural leaders elected to 27 rural committees of the New Territories. These rural leaders form the nucleus of the Heung Yee Kuk, a statutory body which advises the government on New Territories matters. However, the rapidly changing character of the region has brought with it the need for urban organisations such as mutual aid committees, fight crime committees, and groups with interests in the arts, recreation and sport.

In 1977, the traditional rural and newer, urban-based organisations were brought together in each administrative district to form district advisory boards, the response to the initiatives and responsibilities of which has been encouraging. These boards have a majority of unofficial members representing a cross-section of each local community and advise the government on all matters affecting the well-being of their communities. They are able to advise on the use of funds allocated to the districts for the promotion of cultural and sporting activities and for minor environmental improvement projects. In line with the decisions announced in the White Paper on District Administration in Hong Kong, the title of District Advisory Boards was changed to 'District Boards' with effect from April 1, 1981, to reflect the developing role boards now play in the districts they serve.

Foreign Relations

The foreign relations of the Hong Kong Government are the responsibility of the British Government, but Hong Kong is permitted a considerable degree of latitude with external trade. The territory's dependence on trade makes it necessary for the Hong Kong Government to operate offices in London, Washington, Geneva and Brussels to maintain and improve commercial relations with other countries.

Judiciary

The Chief Justice, the Justices of Appeal and the Judges of the High Court are appointed by Letters Patent issued under the Public Seal by the Governor on instructions from the Queen, conveyed through the Secretary of State. District Judges are appointed by the Governor, by instrument under the Public Seal, and magistrates by the Governor by

warrant.