Beijing loyalist Maria Tam tapped for Basic Law Committee promotion: sources

Maria Tam to replace Elsie Leung, former justice minister, as part of reshuffle in committee that advises the central government on Hong Kong’s mini-constitution

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Maria Tam was involved in drafting its new principles of governance under the “one country, two systems”. Photo: Simon Song

Published: 7:32am, 20 Jun 2018Updated: 7:31am, 20 Jun 2018

Beijing loyalist Maria Tam Wai-chu will be elevated to vice-chairwoman in a committee that advises the central government on Hong Kong’s mini-constitution, taking the place of former justice minister Elsie Leung Oi-sie, sources told the Post.

Her promotion is part of a reshuffle in the 12-member Basic Law Committee, that comes under China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC).

The committee gives input on any interpretations or amendments to the Basic Law and will also be consulted if the NPCSC wants to add or delete national laws applicable to Hong Kong in Annex III of the mini-constitution.

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Tam, 72, was a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils when Hong Kong was governed by Britain. In the run-up to the city’s handover to China, she was involved in drafting its new principles of governance under the “one country, two systems” concept and later became a member of the Basic Law Committee, when it was established on July 1, 1997.

But the barrister on Tuesday refused to say if she would replace Leung, who was appointed vice-chairwoman of the committee in 2006.

“I cannot confirm anything, sorry,” Tam said.

Another deputy of the Basic Law committee, Zhang Rongshun, will move to Beijing’s liaison office in Macau. He is known for his tough-talking ways – earlier this year, he said the NPCSC’s approval of a joint checkpoint at Hong Kong terminus of the high-speed rail to the mainland was an “act of state” that Hong Kong courts had “no jurisdiction over”.