Hong Kong SAR completes law adaptation on local Garrison

The recent edition of "The Hong Kong Gazette" on February 17, 2012 carried the full text of the "Adaptation of Laws ( Military References) Ordinance 2012 (hereinafter referred to as the Adaptation). The Adaptation underwent 3 readings before being passed by the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) on February 8, 2012 and took effect officially on February 17, 2012.

Conducting specialized adaptation to military-related provisions in the existing laws of Hong Kong is a large-scale legislation localization work done by the government of the Hong Kong SAR according to the decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of the People's Republic of China and the provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. Since its launch in 1998, the Hong Kong SAR government has spent 14 years in drafting 8 Chinese versions and 17 English versions of the Regulation. Views from all circles in Hong Kong have been solicited. The draft regulation proposed by the Hong Kong SAR government has received broad understanding and support from the general public in Hong Kong.

The Adaptation of Laws ( Military References) Ordinance 2012 makes 136 adaptations and 3 amendments to 85 military-related provisions in the existing laws of Hong Kong, covering a wide range of issues including the rights, exemption and obligations of the Hong Kong Garrison and the protection of military facilities. The Regulation further improves the legal system concerning the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People's Liberation Army in an effort to provide strong legal support for the Hong Kong Garrison to better perform defense duties.