Hong Kong Basic Law

The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is a Chinese national law that describes the system of government of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region. With nine chapters, 160 articles, and three annexes, the law implements the basic policies declared by China in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that would apply to Hong Kong once British colonial rule ended in 1997.

Under the law's basic principle of "one country, two systems", the socialist system and policies of China are excluded from Hong Kong. Instead, Hong Kong will continue its capitalist system and way of life from before 1997 for at least 50 years in 2047. As an organic law, the Basic Law also describes sources of law, the branches of government, the relationship between Hong Kong and the Chinese Central Government (State Council), and the fundamental rights and duties of Hong Kong residents.

The drafting process began in 1985. The law was enacted by the National People's Congress on 4 April 1990 and took effect on 1 July 1997 after the handover of Hong Kong. It replaced the Letters Patent and the Royal Instructions as Hong Kong's main constitutional document. As such, the Basic Law has been referred to as Hong Kong's "mini constitution".