Hong Kong s unemployment rate rose to a record 5.5 percent in the three months through November. In late December, tycoon Li Ka-shing blamed Hong Kong politicians for damaging the territory s business environment and making major new investments difficult. Political Rights and Civil Liberties Hong Kong citizens cannot change their government democratically. Under the British, Legco became fully elected by 1995, albeit under a powerful, appointed governor. Legco is now only partially elected, and there are few institutional checks on the appointed chief executive.
Legislators have limited ability to introduce bills.
Under the Basic Law, China s NPC can repeal Hong Kong laws which conflict with the Basic Law. In June 1998, the outgoing PLC enacted an interpretive amendment mandating that where ordinances did not formerly bind the crown, they will not now bind the state. The judiciary is independent, and trials are fair. An independent commission nominates judges. The post-handover Court of Final Appeal is prohibited from hearing cases broadly involving acts of state such as defense and foreign affairs, and under the Basic Law matters before the Court that affect the Chinese government must be referred to the NPC for interpretation, both of which critics say limits the Court s jurisdiction.