The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs

The Basic Law provides that the Central People's Government (CPG) shall
be responsible for foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR; that the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China shall establish an
office in Hong Kong to deal with foreign affairs; and that the CPG
authorises the HKSAR to conduct relevant external affairs on its own in
accordance with the Basic Law.

As a result, the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA Office) was established on July 1, 1997, and works in close
co-operation with the Government of the HKSAR. The MFA Office
discharges its responsibilities in accordance with the Basic Law and the
'One Country, Two Systems' principle. It does not interfere with matters
which are within the scope of the HKSAR's high degree of autonomy.

The HKSARG's interface with the MFA Office relates mainly to Hong
Kong's participation in international organisations and conferences,
negotiation and conclusion of agreements, and management of foreign
consular and other official and semi-official missions. For instance, the
HKSAR may participate in international organisations and conferences not
limited to states on its own using the name 'Hong Kong, China'. The
CPG's approval will be obtained through the MFA Office if the HKSAR
joins an international organisation limited to states either as part of the
PRC delegation or in any other capacity permitted by the CPG and the
international organisation or conference concerned. The HKSAR may on
its own, using the name 'Hong Kong, China', maintain and develop
relations and conclude and implement agreements with foreign states and
regions and relevant international organisations in the appropriate fields,
including economic, trade, financial and monetary, shipping,
communications, tourism, cultural and sports.

However, the CPG's specific authorisation will be required for the
negotiation and conclusion of Air Services Agreements, Reciprocal
Juridical Assistance Agreements and Visa Abolition Agreements with
foreign states. The MFA Office and the HKSARG also co-operate in
handling matters relating to the establishment of consular missions in the
HKSAR. Foreign affairs issues (such as the establishment and abolition of
consular representation, consular appointments, granting of privileges and
immunities) are handled by the MFA Office. The HKSARG is responsible
for the day-to-day management of the consular corps (such as the issue
of consular identity cards, actual provision of privileges and immunities,
and the security of consular premises).

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