ENG-1997 — Page 36

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HKSAR

They included a policy secretary, senior administrative and executive staff, information officers and ancillary staff.

Among major decisions during that period were: the appointment on January 24, 1997, of the 11 non-official members of the SAR Executive Council; the appointment by the Central People's Government on February 20, 1997, of the 23 Principal Officials of the HKSAR Government as nominated by the Chief Executive; the announcement on May 20, 1997, of the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal (CFA). The announcement of Principal Officials, in particular, was welcomed because it allowed 21 of the 23 serving incumbents to continue to serve in their posts beyond the transition. The other two were due to retire and, by July 1, two new principal officials were also named.

In his Inauguration Speech on July 1, and in his inaugural Annual Policy Address on October 8, Mr Tung outlined his vision for the future of the HKSAR. His main objectives include: upholding the Basic Law and the concept of 'one country, two systems'; maintaining and upholding the rule of law; enhancing Hong Kong's economic vitality and competitiveness; raising the quality of education; increasing the home ownership rate; formulating a comprehensive policy on care for the elderly; and strengthening communication between the HKSAR and the Mainland.

Executive Council

As laid down in the Basic Law, the Chief Executive selects a group of people to form the Executive Council, which he must consult before making important policy decisions, introducing bills into the Legislative Council, making subordinate legislation, or dissolving the Legislative Council. The Executive Council also takes decisions on appeals, petitions and objections under those ordinances which confer a statutory right of appeal. If the Chief Executive does not accept a majority opinion of the Executive Council, he shall put the specific reasons on record. (See Chapter 3). On January 24, 1997, Mr Tung announced the 14 members of his Executive Council three official and 11 non-official. The SAR Executive Council held its first meeting on February 18, 1997, with weekly meetings until July 1, 1997, since when meetings have been held on Tuesdays. Before the Handover, the Executive Council held more than 18 meetings and advised the Chief Executive on many important issues, including legislation to be introduced into the Provisional Legislative Council.

Provisional Legislative Council

The NPC decided on August 31, 1994, that the term of Hong Kong's last legislature under British rule would cease on June 30, 1997. This was because the 1995 electoral arrangements for that legislature were not compatible with the Basic Law and the NPC's decision on the formation of the first legislature of the HKSAR, passed by the NPC on April 4, 1990.

On March 24, 1996, the Preparatory Committee for the HKSAR resolved to establish the Provisional Legislative Council with the following tasks:

•

To enact laws needed to ensure the proper functioning of the HKSAR in accordance with the Basic Law and to amend and repeal laws where necessary;

• To examine and approve budgets introduced by the Government;

• To approve taxation and public expenditure;