Club Lunch: Testing the Boundaries of the Hong Kong Basic Law

Speaker: Danny GITTINGS
Assistant Professor, University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2013
12:45PM – LUNCH
1:15PM – ADDRESS
1st FLOOR

Topic: Testing the Boundaries of the Hong Kong Basic Law

From arguments over universal suffrage to controversies over Chief Executive Leung Chun Ying’s governance, the boundaries of the Hong Kong Basic Law are being tested as never before. In recent years, China has tightened its grip on Hong Kong in some areas. But, drawing on research for his new book, Introduction to the Hong Kong Basic Law, Professor Gittings will highlight how many more of Beijing’s powers remain, as yet, unused. With these powers still being held in reserve, the path remains open to either conciliation or a tougher approach than has been seen so far. He will also seek to shed light on what may happen to Hong Kong in 2047, when the 50-year-period that began in 1997 ends.

Before joining the academic world, Danny Gittings worked in senior editorial positions at the South China Morning Post and The Wall Street Journal Asia for 15 years, reporting on Hong Kong’s political and constitutional development. He is a co-host on Backchat, RTHK’s English-language morning talk show.