Description of Electoral System:

(courtesy of IFES election guide)

The President of China is elected by an 800-member election committee to serve a 5-year term. In the Legislative Council (LEGCO), 30 members are elected by functional constituencies to serve 4-year terms and 30 members are elected by popular vote to serve 4-year terms.

Electoral Systems Snapshot

(Courtesy of International IDEA)

*Click on links for definitions

WANT MORE ELECTION RELATED STATS FOR HONG KONG? Go to "election databases" on the left-hand menu of this page OR comparative data on the right-hand menu and choose your area of interest.

Politics of Hong Kong

(courtesy of wikipedia)

Politics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by China, an own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong returned to Chinese control, when the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to the People's Republic of China (PRC), ending more than 150 years of British colonial rule. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the PRC with a high degree of autonomy in all matters except foreign and defense affairs. According to the Sino-British Joint Declaration (1984) and the Basic Law – Hong Kong's mini-constitution – for 50 years after transition 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 instance, the International Olympic Committee recognises Hong Kong as a participating dependency under the name, "Hong Kong, China", separate from the Mainland China.