Role of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive is the head of the HKSAR. He is also the head of the Government of the HKSAR. He is responsible for implementing the Basic Law, signing bills and budgets passed by the Legislative Council, promulgating laws, making decisions on government policies and issuing executive orders. He is assisted by the Executive Council in policy-making.

In accordance with the Basic Law, the Chief Executive of the HKSAR is selected by election and appointed by the Central People's Government (CPG). The Basic Law provides that the method for selecting the Chief Executive shall be specified in the light of the actual situation in the HKSAR and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress.

The first Chief Executive of the HKSAR, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, was elected by a Selection Committee comprising 400 members from various sectors in the community. Mr Tung assumed office on July 1, 1997, for a five-year term.

For the second term commencing on July 1, 2002, the Chief Executive will be elected by a broadly representative Election Committee composed of 800 members from four different sectors of the community. These constitutional provisions are reflected in and effected locally through the Chief Executive Election Ordinance. The Basic Law provides that the ultimate aim is the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures.