CE Vows To Safeguard HK's Judicial Independence

Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Monday vowed to "steadfastly safeguard" judicial independence, as she congratulated Andrew Cheung on his swearing-in as Hong Kong's new chief justice.

Lam said the government has always given its full support to the judiciary and it will continue to do so.

"The rule of law is the cornerstone of Hong Kong's success, and judicial independence is the linchpin in upholding the rule of law... Our courts shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference," she said in a statement.

"I will continue to steadfastly safeguard judicial independence. As I mentioned in my 2020 Policy Address, there is no conflict between an executive-led system and an independent Judiciary."

Lam said she was confident that under Cheung's leadership, the judiciary will continue to be a "bulwark" of the One Country, Two Systems policy, and that the territory's judges will continue to administer justice without fear or favour.