Background
The existing Constitution of the People's Republic of China (the Constitution) was adopted at the Fifth Session of the Fifth National People's Congress on 4 December 1982. The Constitution is the fundamental and supreme law of the state. As an important symbol and sign of the nation, it has the highest legal status, legal authority, as well as legal effect.
The Constitution is the "root" and "origin" of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Article 31 of the Constitution stipulates that "The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary". Article 62 of the Constitution also stipulates that the National People's Congress shall exercise the power to decide on the establishment of special administrative regions and the systems to be instituted there. It is based on the stipulations from the Constitution that the HKSAR is established. The Constitution gives the legislative backing and source of power for the Basic Law, and provides a solid legal basis and constitutional framework to the basic policies of "one country, two systems", "Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong" and a high degree of autonomy.
With the aim of enhancing public awareness of the Constitution, promoting its spirit, strengthening its implementation and advancing China’s overall law-based governance, the Standing Committee of the Twelfth National People’s Congress decided in November 2014 to designate 4 December as the “Constitution Day” and that the nation will conduct promotion and education activities of the Constitution through multiple channels.
2024 Constitution Day Seminar
Please click here to revisit the Seminar (Chinese only)
To deepen public understanding of the constitutional basis of our country and the HKSAR, the HKSAR Government and the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR co-organised the Constitution Day Seminar (Seminar) on 4 December 2024, with the Endeavour Education Centre being the supporting organisation.
The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China affirmed that the overall objectives of further deepening reform comprehensively are to continue improving and developing the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and modernise China’s system and capacity for governance. The rule of law provides an important guarantee for continuous advancement of Chinese modernisation. In the country’s new journey of further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese modernisation, it is essential to fully implement the Constitution and uphold its authority and dignity. As such, this year’s Seminar was conducted on the theme of “The Constitution and Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively” to actively explore the vital functions of the Constitution in state governance and in the process of further deepening reform comprehensively, as well as Hong Kong’s integral roles in this regard.
Comprising a keynote speech and a panel discussion, the Seminar was livestreamed online for real-time viewing by members of the public. Details are as follows:
| Date: | 4 December 2024 (Wednesday) |
| Time: | 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Theme: | The Constitution and Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively |
| Programme | |||||||
| Welcome remarks by Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM Chief Executive of the HKSAR |
View Video (Chinese only) | ||||||
| Welcome remarks by Mr Zheng Yanxiong Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR |
View Video (Chinese only) | ||||||
| Keynote Speech by Professor Mo Jihong Member of the Academy, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Director, Institute of Law, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Dean, School of Law, University of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Executive Vice-President of the Association of Constitutional Law of China Law Society |
View Video (Chinese only) | ||||||
Panel Discussion
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View Video (Chinese only) | ||||||