Hong Kong Ordinances

THE BASIC LAW OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA - ARTICLE 18

Article 18 The laws in force in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall be this Law, the laws previously in force in Hong Kong as provided for
in Article 8 of this Law, and the laws enacted by the legislature of the
Region. National laws shall not be applied in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region except for those listed in Annex III to this Law. The
laws listed therein shall be applied locally by way of promulgation or
legislation by the Region. The Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress may add to or delete from the list of laws in Annex III after
consulting its Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region and the government of the Region. Laws listed in Annex
III to this Law shall be confined to those relating to defence and foreign
affairs as well as other matters outside the limits of the autonomy of the
Region as specified by this Law. In the event that the Standing Committee of
the National People's Congress decides to declare a state of war or, by reason
of turmoil within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which endangers
national unity or security and is beyond the control of the government of the
Region, decides that the Region is in a state of emergency, the Central
People's Government may issue an order applying the relevant national laws in
the Region.