Foreign relations of Hong Kong

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Hong Kong is a special administrative region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, its diplomatic relations and defence are the responsibility of the Central People's Government of the PRC. Nonetheless, Hong Kong has retained considerable autonomy in all aspects, including economic and commercial relations, customs control, except diplomatic relations and defence. Hong Kong continues to be an active, independent member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in the name of Hong Kong, China.

Overview

Hong Kong was under British rule before 1 July 1997. Prior to the implementation of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 enacted by the British Parliament, Hong Kong represented its interests abroad through the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETO) and via a special office in the British Embassies or High Commissions, but the latter has ceased after the sovereignty of Hong Kong was transferred to the PRC and became a special administrative region (SAR) of the PRC in 1997. At present, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices under the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in countries that are the major trading partner of Hong Kong, including Japan, Canada, Australia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Belgium, Switzerland, the United States and the European Union. These offices serve as the official representative of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR in these countries. Its major functions include facilitating trade negotiations and handling trade related matters, inter-government relations with foreign governments; the promoting of investment in Hong Kong; and liaising with the media and business community. The Hong Kong Government has also set up the Hong Kong Tourism Board with offices in other countries and regions to promote tourism. Other countries, likewise, have set up consulates-general or consulates in Hong Kong that are subordinate to the embassy in Beijing, the capital of the PRC. The Hong Kong Government has also a liaison office in Beijing, and an HKETO at Guangzhou, Guangdong. A few more HKETO will be set up in cities of the mainland China in the future. The Central People's Government of the PRC also maintains a liaison office in Hong Kong. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a representative office in Hong Kong. Hong Kong makes strenuous law enforcement efforts, but faces serious challenges in controlling transit of heroin and methamphetamine to regional and world markets; modern banking system provides a conduit for money laundering; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people. Hong Kong has its own immigration policy and administration. PRC citizens who are permanent residents of Hong Kong hold a different type of passports, called the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport, which is different from that for PRC citizens in mainland China. Residents of Hong Kong and mainland China need a passport-like document (the Home Return Permit for Hong Kong residents and the exit endorsement for mainland residents) to cross the Hong Kong-mainland China border. Visitors from other countries and regions with no waiver programme are required to apply for visas directly through the Immigration Department of Hong Kong.

International organization participation

Overseas representation in Hong Kong

When Hong Kong was a British colony, Commonwealth member states, unlike other countries, were represented in Hong Kong by Commissioners. However, since the 1997 handover, they have been represented by Consulates, subordinate to their embassies in Beijing. Owing to Hong Kong's economic importance, and the large number of British passport holders, the British Consulate-General [1] is the largest of its kind in the world and larger than many embassies.

See also: Diplomatic missions in Hong Kong

See also

• Foreign relations of the People's Republic of China

References

• CIA - The World Factbook 2006

External links

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC
• Protocol Division of Hong Kong Government
• Office of the Commissioner of PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong
• Office of the Commissioner of PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao