现届(第二届)立法会于二〇〇〇年十月一日正式就任。
The present (second term) Legislative Council assumed office on 1 October 2000.
16. 《基本法》附件二规定，二〇〇七年以后立法会的产生办法如需修改，须由立法会全体议员三分之二多数通过，经行政长官同意，报全国人民代表大会常务委员会备案。
Annex II of the Basic Law provides that, if there is a need to amend the method for forming the Legislative Council after 2007, such amendments must be made with the endorsement of a two-thirds majority of all the members of the Council and the consent of the Chief Executive.
17. 根据《基本法》第七十三条，立法会的职权包括：根据《基本法》规定并依照法定程序制定、修改和废除法律；根据政府的提案，审核、通过财政预算案；批准税收和公共开支；听取行政长官的施政报告并进行辩论；对政府的工作提出质询；就任何有关公共利益问题进行辩论；同意终审法院法官和高等法院首席法官的任免；以及接受香港居民申诉并作出处理。
The powers and functions of the Legislative Council are specified in article 73 of the Basic Law.
These include enacting, amending or repealing laws in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and legal procedures; examining and approving budgets introduced by the government; approving taxation and public expenditure; receiving and debating the policy addresses of the Chief Executive; raising questions on the work of the government; debating any issue concerning public interests; endorsing the appointment and removal of the judges of the Court of Final Appeal and the Chief Judge of the High Court; and receiving and handling complaints from Hong Kong residents.
区议会
District Councils
18. 第一届区议会选举已于一九九九年十一月二十八日举行，整体投票率为35.8%。
The first District Council election was held on 28 November 1999.
The total turnout rate for this election was 35.8%.
现有的18个区议会于二〇〇〇年一月一日根据《区议会条例》成立。
The 18 District Councils came into being on 1 January 2000 by virtue of the District Councils Ordinance.
区议会就地区事务向香港特区政府提供意见，并在属区内推广康乐文化活动，以及推行环境改善计划。
The Councils advise the Government of the HKSAR on district affairs and promote recreational and cultural activities, and environmental improvements within their respective districts.
区议会议员包括民选议员和委任议员，而新界区议会除有民选议员和委任议员外，更有由乡事委员会主席兼任的当然议员。
District Councils comprise both elected members and appointed members.
Additionally, in the case of District Councils in rural areas, the local Rural Committee Chairmen serve as ex-officio members.
香港特区划分为390个选区，每区选出一位民选议员。
The HKSAR is divided into 390 constituencies, each returning one elected member.
目前区议会共有102位委任议员和27位当然议员。
There are 102 appointed members and 27 ex-officio members.
19. 当局在二〇〇一年进行区议会检讨后，实施了一系列措施，以强化区议会作为政府在地区事务上的主要顾问的角色和职能，并加强区议会在提供和管理地区服务和设施的事务上的影响力，确保政府能继续因时制宜。
Consequent to the District Councils Review conducted in 2001, the Administration has implemented recommendations to enhance both the role and functions of the District Councils as Government's key advisers on district affairs and their ability to influence the provision, delivery and management of district services and facilities.
20. 因应3个地区的人口增长，于二〇〇四年一月一日就任的第二届区议会的民选议席数目将由390人增加至400人。
In the light of increase in population in three districts, the number of elected seats in the District Councils will be increased from 390 to 400 for the second term District Council commencing on 1 January 2004.
取消市政局和区域市政局
Abolition of the Municipal Councils
21. 根据立法会于一九九九年十二月通过的《提供市政服务(重组)条例》，两个临时市政局于议员任期届满之日(一九九九年十二月三十一日)后解散。
The two Provisional Municipal Councils were dissolved after the terms of office of the members expired on 31 December 1999, pursuant to the Provision of Municipal Services (Reorganization) Ordinance, which was passed by the Legislative Council in December 1999.
为加强协调和提高效率，由二〇〇〇年一月起，食物安全、环境卫生和康乐文化事务方面的工作，改由政府新成立的专责机构负责。
With a view to improving co-ordination and efficiency, the Government set up new dedicated agencies to be responsible for food safety, environmental hygiene and leisure and cultural services with effect from January 2000.
22. 高等法院就《提供市政服务(重组)条例》是否合法的问题进行了司法复核，裁定该条例并无抵触《基本法》及适用于香港特区的《公民权利和政治权利国际公约》。
In a Judicial review of the Ordinance, the High Court ruled that the Provision of Municipal Services (Reorganization) Ordinance (Chapter 552) was consistent with the Basic Law and the ICCPR as applied to Hong Kong.
行政架构
The structure of the Administration
23. 香港特区政府的首长是行政长官。
The Chief Executive is the head of the Government of the HKSAR.
如行政长官短期不能履行职务，其职务会依次由三位司长 (即政务司司长、财政司司长、律政司司长)暂时代理。
If the Chief Executive is not able to discharge his duties for a short period, such duties shall temporarily be assumed by the three Secretaries of Departments, namely the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary, or the Secretary for Justice, in that order of precedence.
香港特区政府设政务司、财政司、律政司和各局、处、署。
The Government of the HKSAR comprises a Department of Administration, a Department of Finance, a Department of Justice, and various bureaux, divisions, and commissions.
24. 目前政府总部共有11个决策局，每一个局由一名局长掌管。
There are currently 11 bureaux, each headed by a Director of Bureau, which collectively form the Government Secretariat.
除廉政专员和审计署署长外，所有部门首长均须向所属的司长及局长负责。
With certain exceptions, the heads of government departments are responsible to the Secretaries of Departments and Directors of Bureaux.
廉政公署和审计署独立运作，只向行政长官负责。
The exceptions are the Commissioner of the Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Director of Audit, who function independently and are accountable to the Chief Executive.
25. 随着政府在二〇〇二年七月一日推行主要官员问责制，政务司司长、财政司司长、律政司司长和11位决策局局长都不再是公务员。
Following the implementation of the accountability system for principal officials on 1 July 2002, the Chief Secretary for Administration, the Financial Secretary, the Secretary for Justice, and the 11 Directors of Bureaux are no longer civil servants.