President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong

The president of the Legislative Council is the presiding officer of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong. According to the Article 71 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, the president of the Legislative Council is elected by and from among Legislative Council members, plays the presiding role, administrative role and ceremonial role, and ensures the smooth conduct of the Legislative Council meetings.^[2]

President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong

The Honourable (尊貴的)
(formal)

Legislative Council

Four years, renewable

Governor of Hong Kong

John Joseph Swaine

19 February 1993 (1993-02-19)

HK$2,400,000 annually^[1]

香港特別行政區立法會主席

Hēung góng dahk biht hàhng jing kēui lahp faat wúi jyú jihk

Hoeng1 gong2 dak6 bit6 hang4 zing3 koei1 lap6 faat3 wui2 zyu2 zik6

History[edit]

From the establishment of the council in 1843 to 1993, the president of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong was the governor. In 1991, a deputy president, John Joseph Swaine, was appointed by the governor from among the non-official members to chair the sittings. The governor remained president and member, but systematically absented himself from most of the sittings. In February 1993, the governor ceased to be member and president of the council. The presidency was handed over to a member elected from among the unofficial members.

Eligibility[edit]

Under the current system, the president shall be a Chinese citizen and permanent resident of Hong Kong SAR of not less than 40 years of age, with no right of abode in any foreign country and has ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for continuous period of not less than 20 years.^[2]

The president presides over council meetings and ensures that businesses are transacted in an orderly way during the council meetings. In the absence of the president, the chairman of the House Committee serves as deputy to the president.

The president determines the day and hours of the meetings and may change the agenda, suspend a meeting, or call a special meeting, or adjourn the Legislative Council.

[2]

The president shall call at the request of the chief executive.

emergency meetings

The president is responsible for the observance of the rules of order in the Legislative Council. Decisions on a point of order shall be final.

President of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong