The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China operates under the constitutional framework of the Basic Law, which establishes the principle of "one country, two systems." This legal document provides the region with a high degree of autonomy in all areas except for defense and foreign affairs, which are the responsibility of the Central People’s Government. The political structure is defined as an executive-led system, with the Chief Executive serving as both the head of the region and the head of the government. This governance model is designed to maintain the city's capitalist system and way of life for a period of fifty years following the transfer of sovereignty from the United Kingdom in 1997.

The legislative branch is composed of a 90-seat unicameral Legislative Council, which is responsible for enacting laws, examining and approving budgets, and monitoring the work of the government. Following electoral reforms, the council consists of members returned by three different methods: the Election Committee constituency, functional constituencies representing various professional and economic sectors, and geographical constituencies through direct elections. The term of office for the Legislative Council is four years. The legislature operates within the bounds of the Basic Law, ensuring that all local ordinances are consistent with the constitutional requirements of the Special Administrative Region and its relationship with the central government.

Hong Kong maintains an independent judiciary that is based on the English common law tradition, distinguishing it from the civil law system used in mainland China. The Court of Final Appeal is the highest appellate court in the region and is headed by the Chief Justice. A unique feature of the judicial system is the inclusion of non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions on the Court of Final Appeal, which serves to maintain international legal standards and confidence in the rule of law. Judges are appointed by the Chief Executive based on the recommendations of an independent commission, and they are tasked with deciding cases strictly according to the law and evidence presented.