特别行政区基本法之性质:宪法的特别法

The Basic Law of Special Administrative District: A Special Law of the Constitution

特别行政区基本法既非“小宪法” ,也非代议机关的制定法 ,而是宪法的特别法。这取决于特别行政区基本法的内容、功能、名称和法律效力等。对特别行政区基本法的法律性质的界定 ,不仅是学理问题 ,也是一个直接涉及特别行政区制度的实际运行 ,乃至宪法的实际运行的问题。特别行政区基本法以其宪法的特别法这一性质 ,不因与宪法的抵触而无效 ;宪法对特别行政区的效力是通过其特别法 ,即特别行政区基本法得以实现的 ;全国人大常委会对基本法的解释则相应地属于宪法解释 ,并因此得以改变特别行政区终审法院之“先例”。

The Basic Law of Special Administrative District (BLSAD) is not a 'minor Constitution', nor a statute enacted by legislative assembly, but a special law of the Constitution. This is based on the content, function, name and legal effect of BLSAD. Identifying the nature of BLSAD is not only an issue of jurisprudence, but also an issue concerning the practical operation of the systems of China's special administrative districts (SAD), and even the practical operation of the Constitution. It is therefore argued that BLSAD cannot be nullified even if it conflicts with the Constitution; that the effect of the Constitution on SAD is materialized through its special law, i.e. BLSAD; and that interpretations of BLSAD by the Standing Committee of National People's Congress hence are by nature constitutional interpretations, which can thus change the 'precedents' made by the court of the last instance of SAD.