page_title: Politics of Hong Kong
section_title: Other political issues since 1997
hierarchical_section_title: Politics of Hong Kong / Other political issues since 1997
context_page_description: The politics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by its quasi-constitutional document, the Hong Kong Basic Law, its own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government and of the Special Administrative Region and of a politically constrained multi-party system. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China is led by the Chief Executive, the head of government.
  On 1 July 1997, sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to China, ending over one and a half centuries of British rule. Hong Kong became a Special Administrative Region of the PRC with a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign affairs and defence, which are responsibilities of the PRC government. According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, Hong Kong will retain its political, economic and judicial systems and unique way of life and continue to participate in international agreements and organisations as a dependent territory for at least 50 years after retrocession.
caption: A "free Ching Cheong" poster
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