The HKSAR Government
FoundationThe HKSAR is directly under the Central People's Government. The Chief Executive heads the Region, the executive makes and carries out policies, the Legislative Council makes laws, and the Judiciary adjudicates independently — together they serve the public.
- The HKSAR is directly under the Central People's Government with a high degree of autonomy under the Basic Law.
- The Chief Executive heads the SAR and leads the executive in making and carrying out policies.
- LegCo makes laws, approves budgets and monitors the Government; the judiciary adjudicates independently.
文體小知識：公民教育說明文解釋政府怎樣組成和運作，認識各機關的職責，便能明白身邊的公共事務。
§Text Passage
1The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China, directly under the Central People's Government, enjoying a high degree of autonomy and practising Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong under the Basic Law. The Chief Executive is the head of the HKSAR, chosen by the Election Committee and appointed by the Central People's Government, leading the SAR Government and answering to both the Central People's Government and Hong Kong.
2The executive arm is led by the Chief Executive. It consists of the offices of the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary and the Secretary for Justice, together with bureaux and departments that make and carry out policies: the Education Bureau runs schooling, the Transport Department manages traffic, and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department keeps streets clean and runs municipal facilities. Civil servants serve citizens' daily needs in every department.
3The Legislative Council is Hong Kong's legislature. Councillors are returned by election; they make laws, approve the Government's budgets, and monitor the Government's work. The Judiciary is responsible for adjudication: the courts exercise judicial power independently, free from interference by the executive and the legislature, and everyone is equal before the law. The executive, the legislature and the judiciary each do their own duty, cooperating and checking one another.
4At district level there are eighteen districts; District Councils and local bodies voice public opinion and help improve the community. Bodies such as the Ombudsman handle citizens' complaints. Citizens can take part in public affairs through consultations, hearings, written submissions and elections. Knowing how the government works is the first step of civic duty.
1Summary 重點摘要
The HKSAR is directly under the Central People's Government. The Chief Executive heads the Region, the executive makes and carries out policies, the Legislative Council makes laws, and the Judiciary adjudicates independently — together they serve the public.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
A region directly under the Central People's Government with a high degree of autonomy.
The head of the HKSAR, leading the SAR Government.
The constitutional document of the HKSAR, setting out the powers and duties of its institutions.
The branch that makes and carries out policies, led by the Chief Executive.
The legislature that makes laws, approves budgets and monitors the Government.
The branch that adjudicates and exercises judicial power independently.
A government office that makes policy, such as the Education Bureau.
An employee of a government department serving the public.
The district body advising the Government on local affairs.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Learn Hong Kong's legal statusThe Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China, directly under the Central People's Government. For example, under the Basic Law the HKSAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy, with Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong, and keeps its previous capitalist system and way of life. Knowing this legal status and the ties between Hong Kong and the nation is the starting point for understanding the government, and an important step in civic education.
- Step 2: Meet the Chief ExecutiveThe Chief Executive is the top leader of the HKSAR and heads the whole Government. For example, the Chief Executive chairs the Executive Council and delivers the Policy Address each year, setting out the plans and priorities to come. Citizens' views can also be sent to the Chief Executive and officials through consultation channels, and the Government makes and adjusts policies according to those views, answering the needs of the people.
- Step 3: Learn the executive's division of workThe executive branch is made up of bureaus and departments, each with a clear duty. For example, a new school concerns the Education Bureau, a footbridge belongs to the Transport Department, and markets and refuse stations fall to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department. Knowing which department handles what helps citizens reach the right place when giving views, so problems are solved faster and the Government's services serve the people better.
- Step 4: Learn the Legislative Council's workThe Legislative Council makes laws, approves public spending and watches over the Government's work. For example, LegCo passed the law banning the sale of alcohol to minors, debates the Government's budget every year, and questions officials about their policies, with bills debated fully before being voted on. Councillors are chosen by election to speak for the people, carrying citizens' views into the Government, so its work stays close to public opinion and society grows more harmonious.
- Step 5: Learn the independence of the courtsThe judiciary hears cases and settles disputes, and it stays independent. For example, whatever one's background, anyone who breaks the law faces trial in court; judges decide by law and evidence, free from interference by the executive and the legislature. An independent judiciary gives everyone fair treatment before the law and protects their rights — a foundation of the rule of law and one of the reasons for Hong Kong's success.
- Step 6: Learn how to join district affairsDistrict affairs touch our daily life most closely, and citizens have many ways to take part. For example, when the District Council discusses a new bus stop or better park facilities, residents can speak at the consultation or send written views. District channels help the Government's decisions meet residents' needs; when we grow up, we can use the same methods to voice our opinions, join community affairs and be citizens who care about society.
- Step 7: Be a young citizen who follows public affairsCaring about public affairs marks a good citizen, and the habit can start small. For example, follow policies in the news, such as waste charging and cycle tracks, and discuss their pros and cons with family, building the habit of caring for society. Understand why a policy is made and think about its effects on the community, learning to think independently, and we will become citizens who take an active part in public affairs when we grow up.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Example: Chi-ming notices frequent littering near his estate. Name the government department in charge and write down the actions citizens can take.
- Street cleaning and refuse management belong to the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, so littering falls within its enforcement.
- Action one: call the government hotline 1823 or use the mobile app to report the littering black spots, with photos and locations.
- Action two: raise the matter with a district councillor, asking the District Council to urge the department to clean up, enforce, and add bins.
- Action three: spread the no-littering message in the community and set the example by using bins oneself.
- Answer: Littering is the duty of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department; citizens can report black spots on the 1823 hotline or through the District Council to push for more cleaning and enforcement — while setting the example themselves.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Who is the head of the HKSAR?
Q2What are the main duties of the Legislative Council?
Q3What is special about how Hong Kong's courts exercise judicial power?
Q4Which department is in charge of street cleaning?
Q5What does a District Council do?
8Recap Recap
- The HKSAR is directly under the Central People's Government with a high degree of autonomy under the Basic Law.
- The Chief Executive heads the SAR and leads the executive in making and carrying out policies.
- LegCo makes laws, approves budgets and monitors the Government; the judiciary adjudicates independently.
- Bureaux and departments serve citizens in their fields — Education for schools, FEHD for cleanliness.
- Citizens join public affairs through consultation, views and District Councils — caring begins with knowing.