Damon Pang reports
Former Chief Justice Andrew Li has urged Hong Kong to maintain a high level of vigilance against any threats to the city’s core values of judicial independence and the rule of law. He said these are cornerstones of society that must never be shaken.
Li was speaking at the ceremonial opening of the Court of Final Appeal Building in Central, in the wake of concerns over the city’s judicial independence roused by controversial comments from Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong
The Director of Beijing’s Liaison Office here, Zhang Xiaoming, said earlier this month that the chief executive holds a special status that transcends the three branches of government, including the judiciary. He also said separation of powers do not apply to Hong Kong.
Earlier, in an article published in the South China Morning Post on Friday, Li had said "under the rule of law, no one, however high his position, is above the law".
However, a member of the Basic Law Committee, Lau Nai-keung, disagreed with Li's comments, saying it is actually some Court of Final Appeal judges who see themselves as being above the law.
Lau accused judges of making rulings that breach interpretations of the Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
Li was speaking at the ceremonial opening of the Court of Final Appeal Building in Central, in the wake of concerns over the city’s judicial independence roused by controversial comments from Beijing’s top official in Hong Kong
The Director of Beijing’s Liaison Office here, Zhang Xiaoming, said earlier this month that the chief executive holds a special status that transcends the three branches of government, including the judiciary. He also said separation of powers do not apply to Hong Kong.
Earlier, in an article published in the South China Morning Post on Friday, Li had said "under the rule of law, no one, however high his position, is above the law".
However, a member of the Basic Law Committee, Lau Nai-keung, disagreed with Li's comments, saying it is actually some Court of Final Appeal judges who see themselves as being above the law.
Lau accused judges of making rulings that breach interpretations of the Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
http://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/component/k2/1213635-20150925.htm
