Special Lecture – From Non-Interference to Communication: Hong Kong’s Constitutional Development

Special Lecture -- From Non-Interference to Communication: Hong Kong's Constitutional Development

Margaret Ng - Member, Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Lawyer and Journalist

Monday, March 28, 2005 - 4:00pm to 5:30pm
Room 211, Hall of Graduate Studies (HGS) See map
320 York Street
New Haven, CT 6511

As demand for universal suffrage mounted in Hong Kong following the march of more than half a million people in 1 July 2003, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China promulgated an Interpretation of the Basic Law to the effect that any political development involving Annex I and Annex II of the Basic Law can only be kick-started with its approval. Then on 26 April 2004, the Standing Committee announced a Decision ruling out the implementation of universal suffrage in 2007/2008. Hong Kong’s democratic movement now seems stuck. Can anything be done to resolve the deadlock? From Beijing’s view, the new SAR must come under control. From Hong Kong’s view, political change is the common aspiration of the people and vital to reforming its governance. Both sides agree communication is the key to the future of “one country, two systems” the success of which has much wider significance than Hong Kong itself. Margaret Ng is a Member of the Legislative Council of the HKSAR and a practising barrister in Hong Kong. She was a Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council up to June 30, 1997, representing the Legal Functional Constituency made up of all barristers, solicitors and government lawyers. She has returned by overwhelming majorities by the same constituency in the election in May 1998, September 2000, and September 2004 respectively. She is also a noted commentator and writer in both English and Chinese. She served as Publisher of the Ming Pao News from 1988-1990. From 1986-1987, she was the newspaper’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief. She remains a regular contributor to the South China Morning Post. She is the author of some 12 Chinese titles. Miss Ng has a long list of past service in public committees including the Central Policy Unit in 1989-90, 1991-92 and Town Planning Appeal Board. She is currently a member of the Operations Review Committee of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Operation. She received her law degree from the University of Cambridge and PCLL from the University of Hong Kong. She holds a doctorate in philosophy from Boston University. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in philosophy from the University of Hong Kong.

In conjunction with The China Law Center, and the Asia Law Forum
Region: 
China, Hong Kong