The Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (Adopted at the Third Session of the Seventh National People’s Congress on April 4, 1990) 48 Instrument A101 Article 62 The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following powers and functions: (1) To formulate and implement policies; (2) To conduct administrative affairs; (3) To conduct external affairs as authorized by the Central People’s Government under this Law; (4) To draw up and introduce budgets and final accounts; and (5) To draft and introduce bills, motions and subordinate legislation; (6) To designate officials to sit in on the meetings of the Legislative Council and to speak on behalf of the government. Article 63 The Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall control criminal prosecutions, free from any interference. Article 64 The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must abide by the law and be accountable to the Legislative Council of the Region: it shall implement laws passed by the Council and already in force; it shall present regular policy addresses to the Council; it shall answer questions raised by members of the Council; and it shall obtain approval from the Council for taxation and public expenditure. Article 65 The previous system of establishing advisory bodies by the executive authorities shall be maintained.