Official name

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China

Form of state

Special administrative region of China, with its own mini-constitution (the Basic Law), guaranteeing "a high degree of autonomy" until 2047. Presided over by a chief executive, whose appointment is strongly influenced by China

The executive

The Executive Council (Exco), comprising both ex officio and non-official members, serves the chief executive in an advisory role

Head of state

Hu Jintao, president of the People's Republic of China

Legislature

Unicameral Legislative Council (Legco) with 60 members, currently comprising 30 directly elected members and 30 members elected by "functional" constituencies. In 2012 the number of Legco members will be increased to 70, of whom 40 will be directly elected

Local government

District boards were renamed district councils after the 1999 elections. Local government municipal councils (urban and regional) were abolished shortly afterwards. The powers of the municipal councils were retained by government departments, with only minor increases in the budgets of the advisory and partly appointed district councils

Legal system

Based on English law and the Basic Law (a mini-constitution underpinned by an international treaty). Foreign affairs and defence fall within the ambit of the Chinese central government; the SAR has autonomy in other matters

Elections

The most recent Legco election took place in September 2008. Donald Tsang was re-elected as chief executive for a five-year term in March 2007. The next Legco election will take place in 2012, and a new chief executive will also be elected in that year

Main political parties

The pro-government Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) is the largest party in Legco, with 13 seats. The pro-business Liberal Party (LP) has six seats. The pro-democracy camp holds 23 of Legco's 60 seats, including eight held by the Democratic Party (DP) and five by the Civic Party

Chief executive: Donald Tsang

Chief secretary for administration: Henry Tang

Financial secretary: John Tsang

Secretary for justice: Wong Yan-lung

Principal officials

Civil service: Denise Yue

Commerce & economic development: Rita Lau

Constitutional & mainland affairs: Stephen Lam

Development: Carrie Lam

Education: Michael Suen

Environment: Edward Yau

Financial services & the Treasury: Ceajer Chan

Food & health: York Chow

Home affairs: Tsang Tak-sing

Labour & welfare: Matthew Cheung

Security: Ambrose Lee

Transport & housing: Eva Cheng

Chief executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Norman Chan