Editing Foreign relations of Hong Kong

{{Short description|none}}<!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Use Hong Kong English|date=October 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2015}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=February 2013}}
{{Politics of Hong Kong|expanded=Foreign relations}}

Under the [[Hong Kong Basic Law|Basic Law]], the [[Hong Kong]] [[Special administrative regions of China|Special Administrative Region]] is {{Citation needed span|text=exclusively|date=July 2024}} in charge of its [[Autonomous entity|internal affairs]], whilst the [[Government of China|central government]] of [[China]] is responsible for its [[diplomacy|foreign affairs]] and [[Military|defence]].<ref>Article 151, [[Hong Kong Basic Law]]</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=The source cited says nothing on the topic.|date=July 2024}} As a separate [[customs territory]], Hong Kong maintains and develops relations with foreign states and regions, and plays an active role in such [[international organisations]] as [[World Trade Organization]] (WTO) and the [[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] (APEC) in its own right under the name of ''Hong Kong, China''.<ref>Article 152, [[Hong Kong Basic Law]]</ref> Hong Kong participates in 16 projects of [[United Nations]] [[Sustainable Development Goals]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/partnership/search/?str=hong+kong|title=Search - United Nations Partnerships for SDGs platform|website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref>

[[File:HK PRC MFA Kennedy Road.jpg|thumb|200px|Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the Hong kong SAR]]

==Overview==
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 systems that provide a conduit for [[money laundering]]; rising indigenous use of synthetic drugs, especially among young people.

Hong Kong has its own immigration policy and administration. [[Hong Kong permanent resident|Permanent resident]]s of Hong Kong with PRC nationality hold a different type of passport, called the [[Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport]], which is different from that for PRC citizens in [[mainland China]].<ref>Article 154, [[Hong Kong Basic Law]]</ref> Hong Kong permanent residents and mainland Chinese need a passport-like document (the "[[Home Return Permit]]" for Hong Kong permanent residents and the [[Two-way Permit]] for mainland Chinese) to cross the boundary between mainland China and Hong Kong. Visitors from other countries and regions not participating in waiver programme are required to apply for visas directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

According to the official data provided by the [[Hong Kong Immigration Department]] in January 2020, There are 168 countries and regions that implement visa-free policies for residents holding Hong Kong passports.

==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>

==International agreements==

In accordance with Article 151 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong concluded over 20 agreements with foreign states in 2010 on matters such as economic and financial co-operation, maritime technical co-operation, postal co-operation and co-operation on wine-related businesses. Under the Basic Law, the Hong Kong also concluded 12 bilateral agreements with foreign states on air services, investment promotion and protection, mutual legal assistance and visa abolition during the year.

==Free trade agreement==

=== Officially signed ===

* [[Mainland China]] ([[Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement|CEPA]]) (June 2003)
* [[New Zealand]] (March 2010)
* [[Chile]] (September 2012)
* [[Iceland]] (October 2012)
* [[Liechtenstein]] (October 2012)
* [[Switzerland]] (October 2012)
* [[Norway]] (November 2012)
* [[Macao]] (October 2017)
* [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] (June 2018)
* [[Australia]] (March 2019)
* [[ASEAN]]：Ten ASEAN countries (June 2019)
* [[Maldives]] (negotiations completed)

=== Negotiating ===
*[[Pacific Alliance]]
*[[RCEP]]
*[[United Kingdom]]

From the Chief Executive's Policy Address in October 2018.

== International organisations ==

[[File:Flag of Hong Kong.svg|thumb|Flag of [[Hong Kong, China]] in the Olympic Games]]

Hong Kong participates in 41 intergovernmental international organisations with countries as participating units. Hong Kong participates in 54 intergovernmental international organisations that do not use countries as their participating units.<ref>http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/syzx/gjzzygjhy/P020120709681086353002.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

Hong Kong participates in the following international organizations:

{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
*[[Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|APEC]] (Since 1995)
*[[Group of Twenty|G20]]
*[[Asian Development Bank]]
*[[The World Bank Group]]
*[[Bank for International Settlements]]
*[[Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific]] (Associate)
*[[Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering]]
*[[International Chamber of Commerce]]
*[[International Confederation of Free Trade Unions]]
*[[International Hydrographic Organization]]
*[[International Maritime Organization]] (Associate)
*[[International Monetary Fund]] (Since 2001)
*[[International Olympic Committee]] (through [[Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China|Hong Kong Olympic Committee]])
*[[International Organization for Standardization]] (Correspondent)
*[[Interpol (organization)|Interpol]] (Sub-Bureau)
*[[Universal Postal Union]]
*[[Venerable Order of Saint John]] (Associated Body)
*[[World Confederation of Labour]]
*[[World Customs Organization]]
*[[World Meteorological Organization]]
*[[World Tourism Organization]] (Associate)
*[[World Trade Organization]] (Since 1991)
{{div col end}}

[[File:11-11-11 Cumbre Líderes APEC 2011 (6344422249).jpg|thumb|[[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]] [[Donald Tsang]] in the [[APEC]] ]]

==Overseas visits made by senior officials==

[[Image:TCWandCP.png|thumb|250px|right|Tung Chee Hwa shaking hands with [[Paul Martin]], the [[Prime Minister of Canada]] at the [[Government House, Hong Kong|Government House]]]]

The [[Chief Executive of Hong Kong]] & other senior officials often make a duty visit to foreign countries. These visits usually aim to advance Hong Kong's economic and trade relations with the foreign countries. During these visits, the Chief Executive will meet with political and business leaders. Usually, the [[head of state]] or [[head of government]] of the foreign countries will receive the Chief Executive. For example, former Chief Executive [[Tung Chee-hwa]] made three visits to the United States during his term. In these three visits, Tung Chee-hwa met with the [[US President]] in the [[Oval Office]] at the [[White House]]. Chief Executive [[Donald Tsang]] had visited Japan, South Korea, Russia, United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Brazil, India, France and other countries during his term of government.

[[File:B-LGE@HKG (20181026121735).jpg|thumb|[[Hong Kong Airlines]] A350-900]]

For example, the then Chief Executive [[Donald Tsang]] visited London and [[Edinburgh]] in 2011 as part of his European tour to renew ties with the UK and promote Hong Kong as a gateway to Asia. He met Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] and Foreign Secretary [[William Hague]], and the Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news.gov.hk/en/photo_gallery/people/html/2011/09/20110919_114007.shtml|title=news.gov.hk - Photo Gallery - People|website=www.news.gov.hk}}</ref> In mid-2011, Donald Tsang visited Australia in June to strengthen ties between Hong Kong and Australia, promote trade opportunities, and encourage more Australian companies, particularly resources companies, to list in Hong Kong. During his visit, Mr Tsang held meetings with the Prime Minister, [[Julia Gillard]], and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, [[Kevin Rudd]], as well as the leader of the Opposition, [[Tony Abbott]], and the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs, [[Julie Bishop]].

Many foreign dignitaries visit Hong Kong each year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.protocol.gov.hk/eng/vip/index.html|title=Protocol Division Government Secretariat - VIP Visits|website=www.protocol.gov.hk|access-date=25 January 2014|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202111018/http://www.protocol.gov.hk/eng/vip/index.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The number of such visits has grown since 1997 as many of them have included Hong Kong as a destination on their trips to China, while others have visited Hong Kong specifically to see "[[one country, two systems]]" in operation. The level of VIP visits is also boosted by major international conferences held in Hong Kong in recent years. In 2009–2012, there were 11 official visits to Hong Kong, including the visits of the [[Prime Minister of Canada]], [[Secretary of State of the United States of America]], [[President of the Russian Federation]], [[President of the Republic of Indonesia]], [[President of the Republic of Korea]] and other foreign dignitaries.

== Foreign officials visit Hong Kong ==
=== Protocol Division Government Secretariat ===

The Protocol Division Government Secretariat is responsible for liaising with the large consulate groups of various countries stationed in the Hong Kong and providing host government services to these consular groups.The Protocol Division Government Secretariat also represents Hong Kong government to receive national leaders and international organisations visiting Hong Kong, and plan and coordinate official visits to Hong Kong by members of the foreign royal family and senior government leaders.

=== Foreign officials ===

As of November 2005, the Hong Kong Government has received more than 60 foreign heads of state, government and senior ministers for official visits to Hong Kong. Leaders who have visited Hong Kong include [[Canadian Prime Minister]] [[Justin Trudeau]], [[Singaporean Prime Minister]] [[Lee Hsien Loong]], [[Russian President]], [[President of Panama]], [[Prime Minister of New Zealand]], [[Prime Minister of Pakistan]], [[Prime Minister of Vietnam]], [[Prime Minister of the Netherlands]], [[Dmitry Medvedev]], and [[British Prime Minister]] [[Tony Blair]].

==Overseas representation in Hong Kong==

{{see also|Consular missions in Hong Kong}}

[[File:HK British Consulate Justice Drive 1.JPG|thumb|The British Consulate General in Hong Kong
]]
[[File:HK US Consulate General.jpg|thumb|US Consulate General in Hong Kong]]

When Hong Kong was under [[British Hong Kong|British rule]], most [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] member states, unlike other countries, were represented in Hong Kong by Commissions. However, following the 1997 handover, they were all renamed Consulates-General. Owing to Hong Kong's economic importance, and the large number of British passport holders, the [[British Consulate-General, Hong Kong and Macao|British Consulate-General]] is the largest of its kind in the world and bigger than many British Embassies and High Commissions abroad.<ref name="GOV.UK">{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-hong-kong|title=British Consulate General Hong Kong - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk}}</ref>

Most countries maintain Consulates-General or Consulates in Hong Kong. However, despite their name, many Consulates-General are not subordinate to their country's embassy to the PRC in Beijing. For example, the British Consulate-General is directly subordinate to the [[Foreign and Commonwealth Office]] of the UK rather than the British embassy in the Chinese capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmfaff/649/64907.htm|title=House of Commons - The UK's relations with Hong Kong: 30 years after the Joint Declaration - Foreign Affairs|first=The Committee Office, House of|last=Commons|website=publications.parliament.uk}}</ref> The Consul-General of the United States, likewise, holds ambassadorial rank, and reports to the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs in the US Department of State.<ref>[http://www.ait.org.tw/en/pressrelease-pr1224.htm Christopher J. Marut Appointed as Director of the Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[American Institute in Taiwan]], 8 May 2012</ref> By contrast, the US Consuls-General posted to Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Shenyang report to the Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Beijing who is directly subordinate to the US ambassador.

== See also ==
* [[Foreign relations of China]]
** [[Foreign relations of Macau]]
* [[Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office]]
* [[Consular missions in Hong Kong]]
* [[Hong Kong–United Kingdom relations]]
* [[Hong Kong–United States relations]]
* [[Visa policy of Hong Kong]]

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
* [[CIA World Fact Book|CIA – The World Factbook]] 2006
{{refend}}

==External links==
* [http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng Ministry of Foreign Affairs of PRC]
* [http://www.protocol.gov.hk/ Protocol Division of Hong Kong Government]
* [http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk Office of the Commissioner of PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong]
* [http://www.fmcoprc.gov.mo/eng Office of the Commissioner of PRC's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macao]

{{HKETO}}
{{Foreign relations of the Commonwealth of Nations}}
{{Foreign relations of Hong Kong}}
{{Hong Kong topics}}
{{Asia topic|Foreign relations of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Foreign Relations Of Hong Kong}}
[[Category:Foreign relations of Hong Kong| ]]
[[Category:Hong Kong and the Commonwealth of Nations]]