Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal Geoffrey Ma Tao-li holds a press conference before his retirement day at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition on Jan 5, 2021. (PARKER ZHENG / CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG - Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, said Tuesday that Hong Kong still enjoys judicial independence and judges' handling of cases are not affected by other people's opinions.

At a press briefing, Ma said the chief justice and judiciary organs have the mission of upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong.

Judges handle cases in accordance with the law and will not be affected by any political beliefs, said Geoffrey Ma Tao-li, chief justice of the Court of Final Appeal

Judges handle cases in accordance with the law and will not be affected by any political beliefs, Ma said, adding that they are also required to uphold the Basic Law, bear allegiance to the HKSAR and maintain the rule of law.

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Ma said he did face challenges and pressure from work but none of the pressure came from other people or institutions, including mainland courts.

Hong Kong courts make rulings based on laws and will take the same attitude when dealing with various cases, including those concerning the national security law in Hong Kong, Ma said, stressing that courts deal with legal problems, rather than political issues.

Andrew Cheung Kui-nung, a permanent judge of the Court of Final Appeal, will succeed Ma as the chief justice on January 11. 

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