CHRIS LAU CHRIS.LAU@SCMP.COM
PUBLISHED : Saturday, 17 October, 2015, 7:01am
UPDATED : Saturday, 17 October, 2015, 11:31am
CY Leung, shown in this file photo, was recently involved in a controversy in Hong Kong over whether his role "transcends" all other branches of government. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Hong Kong owes much of its success to the rule of law, an asset the city will continue to cherish and uphold, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying told British officials and business leaders in London on Thursday.
Leung made the remarks at the Trade Development Council's annual dinner on the first day of a two-day visit to Britain.
His comments came a month after Leung stepped into a row over rule of law and separation of powers, after a Beijing official suggested his role was "transcendent" over the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. Leung later said his position was "indeed transcendent", though he put this down to the fact the chief executive was appointed by Beijing.
On Thursday, Leung said the former British colony had transformed since the 1970s into a place of towering skyscrapers with a modern airport, adding: "But old habits die hard."
Leung speaks at the London dinner. Photo: SCMP Pictures
What remained unchanged, he told an audience including British Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, was the city's common law system, independent judiciary, and rule of law.
"Hong Kong's global success today … I can confidently say, owes a lot to our fine tradition of the rule of law," he said. "I can assure you … we will continue to uphold the rule of law with our utmost effort."
Civic Party leader Alan Leong Kah-kit questioned how the chief executive could stress the rule of law while simultaneously claiming to be "transcendent". "The two don't sit together," he said.
A junk sails on Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong. Leung said the city has transformed into a modern metropolis but it still respects colonial traditions including the common law system, independent judiciary, and rule of law. Photo: Jonathan Wong
But pro-establishment lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun said Leung's earlier message had to be put into context. He was saying the chief executive was the head of the region, not above the law.
Leung also told guests at the dinner - who included Hugo Swire, the British minister whose remit covers the city - Hong Kong would benefit from deepening ties to the mainland. Health minister Dr Ko Wing-man was also in London to sign a cooperation deal with Britain.
Tse is a candidate in next month's district council elections for Broadwood in Wan Chai. His rivals are Jimmy Siu See-kong and Michael Mak Kwok-fung.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1868757/hong-kong-leader-cy-leung-says-rule-law-key-citys-success
