How the Constitution and the National People's Congress provide for a special administrative region
Background
The systems and policies of a special administrative region rest on Article 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China.
The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region was adopted at the Third Session of the Seventh National People's Congress on 4 April 1990 and was put into effect as of 1 July 1997.
Under it the National People's Congress authorizes the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to exercise a high degree of autonomy and to enjoy executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication.
The Basic Law provides that the socialist system and policies shall not be practised in the Region and that the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.
In addition to the Chinese language, English may also be used as an official language by the executive authorities, the legislature and the judiciary of the Region.
Apart from the national flag and national emblem, the Region may use a regional flag and regional emblem; the regional flag is a red flag with a bauhinia highlighted by five star-tipped stamens.
Annex I sets the method for the selection of the Chief Executive, Annex II the method for the formation of the Legislative Council and its voting procedures, and Annex III the national laws to be applied in the Region.
In plain words
Basic Law — The law enacted by the National People's Congress prescribing the systems to be practised in a special administrative region.
Final adjudication — The power to decide a case last, with no appeal to a court outside the system that holds it.
National People's Congress — China's national legislature, which enacted the Basic Law and authorises the Region's autonomy.