Hong Kong Ordinances

THE BASIC LAW OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA - ARTICLE 48

Article 48 The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
shall exercise the following powers and functions:

(1) To lead the government of the Region;

(2) To be responsible for the implementation of this Law and other laws which,
in accordance with this Law, apply in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region;

(3) To sign bills passed by the Legislative Council and to promulgate laws; To
sign budgets passed by the Legislative Council and report the budgets and
final accounts to the Central People's Government for the record;

(4) To decide on government policies and to issue executive orders;

(5) To nominate and to report to the Central People's Government for
appointment the following principal officials: Secretaries and Deputy
Secretaries of Departments, Directors of Bureaux, Commissioner Against
Corruption, Director of Audit, Commissioner of Police, Director of Immigration
and Commissioner of Customs and Excise; and to recommend to the Central
People's Government the removal of the above-mentioned officials;

(6) To appoint or remove judges of the courts at all levels in accordance with
legal procedures;

(7) To appoint or remove holders of public office in accordance with legal
procedures;

(8) To implement the directives issued by the Central People's Government in
respect of the relevant matters provided for in this Law;

(9) To conduct, on behalf of the Government of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, external affairs and other affairs as authorized by the
Central Authorities;

(10) To approve the introduction of motions regarding revenues or expenditure
to the Legislative Council;

(11) To decide, in the light of security and vital public interests, whether
government officials or other personnel in charge of government affairs should
testify or give evidence before the Legislative Council or its committees;

(12) To pardon persons convicted of criminal offences or commute their
penalties; and

(13) To handle petitions and complaints.