Editing Foreign relations of Hong Kong (section)

==Hong Kong Office==
{{main|Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office#Locations}}
[[File:HKETO-London.JPG|thumb|Economic and Trade Office in [[London]].]]

Hong Kong was under [[colonial Hong Kong|British rule]] before 1 July 1997. Prior to the implementation of the ''Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996'' enacted by the [[United Kingdom Parliament|British Parliament]], Hong Kong represented its interests abroad through the [[Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office]]s (HKETOs) and via a special office in the British Embassies or High Commissions, but the latter ceased after the sovereignty of Hong Kong was [[Handover of Hong Kong|transferred to the PRC]] and became a special administrative region (SAR) of the PRC in 1997.<ref>[http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/63/contents Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996]</ref> At present, the ''Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices'' under the [[Hong Kong Government|Government]] of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in countries that are the major trading partners of Hong Kong, including [[Japan]], [[Canada]], [[Australia]], [[Singapore]], [[Indonesia]], the [[United Kingdom]], [[Germany]], the [[United States]], the [[European Union]] as well as an ETO in [[Geneva]] to represent HKSAR Government in the [[WTO]]. These offices serve as the official representative of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR in these countries and international organisations. 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.<ref>Article 156, [[Hong Kong Basic Law]]</ref>