The Government of the Hong Kong SAR is the executive authority of the Region. It is led by the Chief Executive, who is the head of the Hong Kong SAR Government. The Chief Executive is elected through the mechanism stipulated in the Basic Law. He appoints Members to the Executive Council, who assist him in making policies.

​

Hong Kong enjoys a clean government with highly transparent administrative processes. There is no lack of various pressure groups and unions airing out their views. Civil servants of Hong Kong are highly regarded as efficient and professional.

​

The 70-member Legislative Council (LegCo) is Hong Kong's law making body. It is responsible for enacting laws, examining and approving government budgets, taxation and expenditure, as well as raising questions on the work of the Government.

​

Members of the current Fifth LegCo are returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections and by functional constituencies. Since the establishment of the HKSAR, LegCo elections have been held in 1998, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012. The term of office of LegCo is four years, except the first term, which was two years.

​

The Judiciary is independent from the Executive and the Legislature. The Court of Final Appeal has the power of final adjudication.