Basic Law and National Security Law Mock Test (Teacher Recruitment Level)
- According to the Basic Law, what is Hong Kong’s status in relation to the People’s Republic of China?
A. Hong Kong is an inalienable part of the People’s Republic of China.
B. Hong Kong is an independent sovereign state separate from China.
C. Hong Kong has a right to self-determination and can secede after 50 years.
D. Hong Kong’s status is undefined and can be altered by the HKSAR Government. - Under Article 5 of the Basic Law, how long will Hong Kong’s previous capitalist system and way of life remain unchanged after 1997?
A. 25 years
B. 50 years
C. 75 years
D. Permanently, with no time limit specified - Which of the following is NOT expressly protected as a right or freedom of Hong Kong residents under the Basic Law?
A. Freedom of speech and of the press
B. The right to bear arms for self-defense
C. Freedom from arbitrary or unlawful arrest
D. Right to social welfare in accordance with law - Certain matters are the responsibility of the Central Authorities rather than the HKSAR. According to the Basic Law, which area is under the direct responsibility of the Central People’s Government (and not devolved to Hong Kong’s autonomous scope)?
A. Education policy and curriculum development
B. Monetary policy and currency issuance
C. Foreign affairs and defense of Hong Kong
D. Immigration control and border security - Article 23 of the Basic Law obliges the HKSAR to enact laws prohibiting several acts. Which of the following is NOT among the acts that Hong Kong must prohibit under Article 23?
A. Treason against the Central People’s Government
B. Subversion against the Central People’s Government
C. Secession of Hong Kong from the People’s Republic of China
D. Terrorist activities endangering national security - According to the Basic Law, how must the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region exercise their judicial power?
A. As directed by the Chief Executive’s instructions
B. With guidance from the Legislative Council
C. Under supervision of the Supreme People’s Court
D. Independently and free from any interference - Under Article 63 of the Basic Law, which institution is empowered to control criminal prosecutions in Hong Kong without interference?
A. The Hong Kong Police Force
B. The Chief Executive’s Office
C. The Department of Justice of the HKSAR
D. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) - Article 104 of the Basic Law requires certain public officers to swear to uphold the Basic Law and swear allegiance to the HKSAR. Which of the following is NOT listed in Article 104 as one of those public officers?
A. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR
B. Judges of the courts of the HKSAR
C. Principal officials of the HKSAR Government
D. All newly hired civil servants in the HKSAR - What is the ultimate aim stated in the Basic Law for the method of selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council of Hong Kong?
A. Appointment of all members by the Central People’s Government
B. Election by a committee of local elites without public voting
C. Election of the Chief Executive and all Legislative Council members by universal suffrage
D. Rotation of the offices among Hong Kong’s founding families - (Multiple Statements) Interpretation of the Basic Law: According to Article 158 of the Basic Law, consider the following statements:
- (i) The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC) has the power to interpret the Basic Law.
- (ii) Hong Kong courts may on their own interpret provisions of the Basic Law concerning matters which are the responsibility of the Central Government.
- (iii) Before the NPCSC gives an interpretation of the Basic Law, it shall consult the Committee for the Basic Law of the HKSAR.
Which of the above statements is/are correct under Article 158?
A. (i) only
B. (ii) only
C. (i) and (iii) only
D. All of the above
- Under Article 3 of the Hong Kong National Security Law (NSL), which of the following is true regarding the responsibility for safeguarding national security?
A. The HKSAR alone has complete responsibility for national security with no oversight from Beijing.
B. The Central People’s Government holds an overarching responsibility for national security in Hong Kong, while Hong Kong must fulfill its duty to safeguard national security.
C. National security in Hong Kong is solely enforced by a special international committee.
D. Only the executive branch of the HKSAR is required to prevent and suppress acts endangering national security. - The National Security Law contains provisions on human rights. What does Article 4 of the NSL stipulate about rights and freedoms in Hong Kong?
A. That the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights no longer applies in Hong Kong.
B. That human rights shall be respected and protected, including freedoms of speech, press, assembly, and others as protected by the Basic Law and international covenants.
C. That rights and freedoms may be suspended at any time for national security reasons without legal oversight.
D. That only Hong Kong permanent residents are entitled to rights under the Basic Law. - Article 5 of the NSL reflects fundamental legal principles. Which principle is guaranteed by Article 5 with regard to handling national security offenses?
A. The presumption of innocence until proven guilty, and that no one will be punished for acts that were not crimes when committed (no retroactivity).
B. The use of mandatory minimum sentences and denial of bail in all cases.
C. That trials for national security offenses will be closed to the public by default.
D. That individuals can be tried and punished multiple times for the same national security offense. - According to Article 6 of the NSL, what must a Hong Kong resident do if they stand for election to public office or assume a public office?
A. Undergo a background check by the Committee for Safeguarding National Security.
B. Swear in writing or oath to uphold the Basic Law and swear allegiance to the Hong Kong SAR.
C. Formally renounce any foreign citizenship or right of abode elsewhere.
D. Sign an agreement to refrain from criticizing the government’s policies. - The Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR is established by the NSL. Which of the following is one of its duties under Article 14 of the NSL?
A. Directly prosecuting individuals for national security crimes.
B. Overseeing and interfering with court proceedings in national security cases.
C. Advancing the development of the legal system and enforcement mechanisms of the HKSAR for safeguarding national security.
D. Determining the guilt or innocence of suspects in national security investigations. - Under the NSL, most national security cases are handled by Hong Kong authorities. However, in which scenario can Mainland authorities exercise jurisdiction over a case in Hong Kong, according to Article 55 of the NSL?
A. If a case involves complex foreign interference or other serious situations such that Hong Kong is unable to effectively handle it.
B. Whenever the Chief Executive requests the Central Government to take over any case.
C. Only if the suspect is a Mainland Chinese citizen, not a Hong Kong resident.
D. There are no circumstances under which Mainland authorities can take over a Hong Kong case. - The Hong Kong National Security Law created new national security offenses. Which of the following is NOT one of the specific offenses defined in the NSL?
A. Secession (breaking Hong Kong away from China)
B. Subversion (undermining state power)
C. Terrorist activities
D. Espionage (spying) as a standalone offense
(Hint: The NSL’s four main offense categories are secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with foreign forces.)
- Who has the authority to interpret the provisions of the Hong Kong National Security Law, according to the NSL itself?
A. The Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal
B. The HKSAR Committee for Safeguarding National Security
C. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPCSC)
D. The Chief Executive of the HKSAR in conjunction with the Secretary for Justice - Article 38 of the NSL has garnered attention for its extraterritorial application. What does Article 38 stipulate?
A. The NSL only applies to acts committed within Hong Kong’s geographic boundaries.
B. The NSL applies only to Hong Kong permanent residents, even if they are overseas.
C. The NSL can apply to offenses committed against Hong Kong from outside the Region by persons who are not Hong Kong residents.
D. The NSL’s application is strictly limited to Chinese nationals in Hong Kong. - Which of the following best describes the legal basis for the enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020?
A. It was solely based on Article 23 of the Basic Law enacted by the HKSAR legislature.
B. It was enacted pursuant to the PRC Constitution, the HKSAR Basic Law, and the NPC’s Decision on Establishing and Improving the Legal System and Enforcement Mechanisms for the HKSAR to Safeguard National Security.
C. It was an executive order by the Chief Executive under emergency regulations.
D. It was a temporary measure with no grounding in any constitutional document.