The Chief Executive is not above the law and, as such, abides by it like everyone else.
Secretary for Justice Rimsky Yuen made the statement today in the wake of comments by Director of the Central People's Government Liaison Office in Hong Kong Zhang Xiaoming at the weekend.
Mr Yuen clarified that the Basic Law clearly states the Chief Executive is the head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the head of the Government.
He said Mr Zhang’s speech emphasised that both the Chief Executive and the HKSAR must abide by the law and be accountable to the legislature, which means the Chief Executive has no dominant power.
Mr Yuen said people have misconstrued Mr Zhang's comments, clarifying that it is impossible for the Chief Executive to act as the city’s "emperor" as some have claimed.
Mr Yuen said while many Basic Law articles involve the Central Government’s participation, it also states Hong Kong has a high degree of autonomy.
He said Hong Kong and Beijing must look at the Basic Law from each other’s perspective to make the 'One country, two systems' formula work at its best to uphold Hong Kong's competitiveness.
He called on the public to read Mr Zhang’s speech objectively and not quote it out of context.
