No ‘separation of powers’ in Hong Kong, Beijing agencies say, adding Deng Xiaoping spelled out stance in 1987
- Hong Kong has an executive-led governance system, under which checks and balances are provided among different government branches, they say
- Row over the issue erupted recently after the phrase ‘separation of powers’ was removed from liberal studies textbooks
Two Beijing agencies overseeing Hong Kong affairs have declared the city has no separation of powers after a political row recently erupted over the issue, saying such a stance was made clear by late Chinese paramount leader Deng Xiaoping in the 1980s.
The ministerial-level Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office (HKMAO), as well as the central government’s liaison office, said in separate statements on Monday that the city had adopted an executive-led governance system, under which checks and balances were provided among the executive branch, legislature and judiciary, and that judicial independence would not be compromised.
“It ought to be unambiguously pointed out that the remarks about the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region practising a political system of separation of powers are wrong and that must be rectified,” the HKMAO said in its statement.
“Hong Kong has not adopted the British system, or the US system, for over 1½ centuries. It would be inappropriate if we now copy such a model, like adopting separation of powers … and use this as a measurement of the degree of democracy,” Deng said.
