Legal Bodies Should Steer Clear Of Politics: SJ

Justice Secretary Teresa Cheng on Monday echoed comments by the People's Daily that legal bodies in Hong Kong should not get involved with politics.

The newspaper issued the warning to the Law Society at the weekend, saying it should prove it is different from the Bar Association, or risk the same fate as the now-defunct Professional Teachers' Union.

Writing on her blog, Cheng expressed full agreement with the paper's views.

"Recently, I am aware of views that legal bodies are neither political parties nor political organisations and should therefore strive to maintain their professionalism rather than politicisation. I fully agree," she wrote.

The justice secretary also expressed confidence that common law will continue to apply in Hong Kong, so long as the city fully implements one country, two systems and stays true to the original aspiration of the Basic Law.