Promoting justice: Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung addresses attendees at a lunch at the Brookings Institution.

The promise of continuity in the laws and legal system in Hong Kong after the reunification has been honoured, not just in form, but in full substance, Secretary for Justice Wong Yan Lung says in the US.

Speaking at a luncheon meeting of the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC, Mr Wong said Hong Kong remains a common law jurisdiction, and the two branches of the legal profession remain strong and independent.

As to the Judiciary, Mr Wong said judicial appointments are made on the basis of recommendations by an independent Commission, and on the basis of the judges' judicial and professional qualities.

Mr Wong said judicial independence is cardinal to the rule of law and the protection of rights and freedoms.

"Here, in Hong Kong, we are very proud not only of our courts' independence but also their competence," he noted.

Anti-terrorist measures stepped up

In an area of particular interest to the attendees, Mr Wong reported on Hong Kong's post-9-11 efforts to enhance anti-terrorism measures, including the enactment of legislation to give effect to UN Security Council Resolution 1373 and the Financial Action Task Force's Special Recommendations on Terrorist Financing.

The measures empower the Government to take action against terrorist activities, such as freezing terrorist assets, prohibiting the supply of weapons, reporting suspicious financial transactions, as well as enabling law enforcement agencies to provide relevant intelligence to overseas agencies.

Mr Wong took the opportunity to give an account of the Hong Kong's efforts to protect human rights, as well as to address such contentious issues as interpretations of the Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and constitutional development.

To see the full address, click here.