Hong Kong Government and I - Life and Society - Junior Secondary School

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Study Notes: Hong Kong Government and I

Hey everyone! Welcome to your study notes for "Hong Kong Government and I". Have you ever wondered who decides to build a new park, how school holidays are set, or why we have to pay for plastic bags? The answer is: the Government!

In this chapter, we're going to explore how the Hong Kong government works. This is super important because its decisions affect our lives every single day. Understanding this helps us become responsible and informed citizens. Don't worry, we'll break it down into simple parts. Let's get started!

1. Our Special System: "One Country, Two Systems"

Hong Kong has a unique setup called "one country, two systems". This is the most important idea to understand first!

Imagine a big family that owns a large house (this is "one country"). One of the children, Hong Kong, has their own special room with its own set of rules, different from the rest of the house. Hong Kong gets to manage its own daily affairs, like its economy and laws, in its own way. This is the "two systems" part.

The Rulebook: The Basic Law

Every place with rules needs a rulebook. For Hong Kong, that rulebook is the Basic Law. It's like the constitution for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). It sets out how our government is structured, and protects the rights and freedoms of the people living here. It's the legal foundation for the "one country, two systems" principle.

Relationship with the Central Authorities

The "Central Authorities" refers to the central government of our country. The Basic Law explains the relationship between the HKSAR and the Central Authorities. While Hong Kong manages most of its own affairs (like education, health, and transport), some matters, like defence and foreign affairs, are handled by the central government.

Key Takeaway: Hong Kong is part of China ("one country") but has its own social, economic, and legal systems ("two systems"), all guided by a mini-constitution called the Basic Law.

2. The Government's Decision-Making Machine

How does the government decide to do things? It's not random! There's a process, which we can think of in four simple steps. Don't worry if this seems tricky at first, the analogy will make it super clear!

Analogy: Ordering Pizza!
Imagine you and your friends want to order a pizza. The process you follow is very similar to how the government makes decisions.

Step 1: Input (Telling them what you want)

This is where ideas and opinions come from. The government listens to the public to understand their needs and wants.
- You and your friends (The Public): You say you're hungry and want pizza.
- Government Input: Citizens express their opinions through emails, petitions, protests, or through their representatives in the Legislative Council and District Councils.

Step 2: Decision (The kitchen gets to work)

The government takes all the input, studies the problem, discusses different options, and formulates a plan or policy.
- The Pizza Place (The Government): The chef looks at your order, checks the ingredients, and decides how to make the pizza.
- Government Decision: Government departments and the Executive Council discuss the issue, consult experts, and decide on the best course of action.

Step 3: Output (The pizza arrives!)

This is the final decision or action taken by the government.
- The Pizza (The Policy): The finished pizza is delivered to your door.
- Government Output: This could be a new law (like the plastic bag levy), a new public service (a new hospital), or a new facility (a new MTR line).

Step 4: Feedback (Was the pizza good?)

After a policy is implemented, the government sees how people react to it. This feedback becomes new input for future decisions.
- Your Review (Public Feedback): You tell your friends if the pizza was delicious or terrible. You might order again or choose a different place next time.
- Government Feedback: The public and media comment on the new policy. Is it working well? Does it need to be changed? This information helps the government improve.

Did you know?
The 50-cent plastic bag levy is a perfect real-world example of this process!
Input: People were concerned about plastic waste.
Decision: The government studied the problem and proposed a small charge.
Output: The law was passed requiring a levy on plastic bags.
Feedback: The government collects data on whether plastic bag use has gone down.

Key Takeaway: The government's decision-making is a cycle: Input from the public leads to a Decision, which results in an Output (a policy), which then gets Feedback from the public.

3. Who's in Charge? Our Electoral System

An "electoral system" is just a fancy term for how we choose people to represent us in the government. It’s how we make our voices heard! In Hong Kong, two very important positions are filled through elections: the Chief Executive and the members of the Legislative Council.

A. Selecting the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive is the head of the HKSAR Government. Think of them as the captain of the Hong Kong team. The Basic Law outlines the method for selecting the Chief Executive.

B. Forming the Legislative Council (LegCo)

The Legislative Council, or LegCo, is a very important body. Its main jobs are to make, amend, or remove laws, examine and approve the government's budget (how it spends money), and monitor the work of the government. The members of LegCo are chosen through elections.

C. The Goal: Universal Suffrage

You might hear the term "universal suffrage" a lot. Let's break it down:
- Universal = For everyone.
- Suffrage = The right to vote.
So, universal suffrage means a system where every adult citizen has the right to vote for their leaders directly.

The Basic Law states that the ultimate aim is to select the Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage. Progressing towards this goal is seen as important for Hong Kong's democratic development and making sure the government is truly representative of its people.

Key Takeaway: We choose our leaders through an electoral system. The two main elected bodies are the Chief Executive (our leader) and the Legislative Council (our lawmakers). The long-term goal for these elections is universal suffrage.

4. Playing by the Rules: Fair and Clean Elections

For an election to be trustworthy, it must be fair and clean. What does this mean?

Analogy: A Fair Sports Game
Think of an election like a football match. For the result to be fair, both teams must follow the rules. There should be no cheating, the referee must be neutral, and every goal must be scored legally. If one team bribes the referee, the game isn't fair, and people won't trust the result.

In Hong Kong, we have rules to make sure our elections are fair:
- Secret Ballot: Your vote is private. No one knows who you voted for, so you can vote without pressure.
- Clean Practices: There are strict laws against bribing voters (offering money or gifts for votes) or using dishonest tricks to win.

When elections are seen as fair and clean, people trust the political system. This trust is essential for a stable and developing society.

Quick Review Box
Why do we need clean elections?
- To ensure the winner is chosen by the people's genuine will.
- To build public trust in the government.
- To allow for fair competition of ideas and candidates.

5. Your Voice, Your Future: Young People and Voting (Extended Part)

This part is all about you! Even if you can't vote yet, understanding your future role as a voter is super important. When you turn 18, you will have the right to register as an elector and vote.

A. Voting Trends in Hong Kong

Let's look at two key terms:
- Registered Electors: The number of people who have officially signed up to vote.
- Voter Turnout: The percentage of registered electors who actually show up and vote on election day.

Studying these trends, especially among young people (ages 18-25), helps us understand how engaged citizens are with social affairs.

B. To Vote or Not to Vote?

Why do some young people choose to register and vote, while others don't? There are many factors:
- Feeling that your vote matters: Believing that your participation can make a difference.
- Being informed: Understanding the issues and the candidates.
- Influence from family and friends: Discussing social issues with people around you.
- A sense of responsibility: Feeling it's your duty as a citizen to participate.

C. Getting Ready to Participate

How can we encourage more young people to participate in the future? It starts now!
1. Pay Attention: Read or watch the news to learn about what's happening in our society.
2. Discuss and Form Opinions: Talk about social issues with your family, teachers, and friends. It’s okay to have different opinions!
3. Understand the Process: Know that when you turn 18, you can register to vote. It’s a simple but powerful step.

Your voice is the future of Hong Kong. By being informed and ready to participate, you are helping to shape a better society for everyone.

Key Takeaway: Registering to vote and participating in elections is a key right and responsibility of a citizen. Staying informed and engaged now prepares you for this important role in the future.