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CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

HONG KONG is administered by the Hong Kong Government, and its administration has developed from the basic pattern applied in all British-governed territories overseas. The head of the Hong Kong Government is the Governor. Under the terms of the Joint Declaration of the British and Chinese Governments on the Question of Hong Kong which entered into force on May 27, 1985, Hong Kong will become, with effect from July 1, 1997, a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

The Governor has the ultimate direction of the administration of Hong Kong. He is advised on the development of policy and other matters by an Executive Council. Legislation is enacted and funds provided by the Legislative Council, the members of which also debate policy and question the administration. There are two municipal councils, the Urban Council and the Regional Council, which have a statutory respon- sibility to provide public health, cultural and recreational services in the areas for which they are responsible. In addition, 19 District Boards cover the territory. They advise on the implementation of policies at district level and provide an effective forum for public consultation.

There are now direct elections on the basis of universal franchise at all the three tiers of Hong Kong's representative government: two thirds of District Board members at district level, 36 per cent of all Municipal Council members, and 30 per cent of Legislative Council members are returned through direct elections. い

The first direct election to the Legislative Council was held on September 15, 1991, returning 18 members from nine geographical constituencies. The new Legislative Council, which has a majority of elected members returned from functional and geographical constituencies, will provide a firm foundation on which to base further development of the democratic system.

Role of the Governor

The Governor is the representative of the Queen in Hong Kong. He has ultimate direction of the administration of Hong Kong and is also the titular Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces stationed in Hong Kong. As head of the government he presides at meetings of the Executive Council and may preside at meetings of the Legislative Council. The Governor is in close touch with the administration of the territory and exerts a major influence over the direction of policy. The present Governor, Sir David Wilson, assumed office on April 9, 1987, and is the 27th incumbent.

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