ABSTRACT
The "Big Spender" case is the first legal case in China to test the limits of "one country, two systems". More particularly, it is the first time a Hong Kong legal resident was arrested, prosecuted, tried, and convicted in China under the People's Republic of China (PRC) Criminal Law for criminal acts largely perpetrated in Hong Kong. It is interesting to note that notwithstanding worldwide legal experts' concern and Hong Kong politicians' outcry, the public did not seem to feel the urgency of "one country, two systems" crisis. The loss of confidence in legal system was traceable to mishandling of "Big Spender Case". Hong Kong people's preference for and commitment to "one country, two systems" is skin deep, and made contingent on the nature of a case, identity of criminals, and intent of China. In the case of Hong Kong, it is manifested in a fight over utility of "one country, two systems" versus necessity of punishment for Cheung Tse-keung.
