CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
20
ordinating Committee handles cross-boundary infrastructure projects between Hong Kong and the Mainland (mainly Guangdong). Reconstituted from a similar committee before the reunification, it has conducted in-depth studies on specific projects such as the Tonggu Channel. Co-operation with Guangdong was further strengthened with the establishment of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference in March 1998 by the HKSARG and the Guangdong Provincial Government in conjunction with the HKMAO. It provides an effective channel of communication and co-operation between the two sides at a high level on issues of mutual concern in such areas as environmental protection, business, investment and tourism.
Office of the HKSAR Government in Beijing
The Beijing Office was established in March 1999 in accordance with Article 22 of the Basic Law. Its role is to enhance liaison and communication between the HKSAR Government and the CPG and other Mainland provincial/municipal authorities.
Through its liaison work, the Beijng Office provides information about Hong Kong to the CPG, other Mainland authorities and non-governmental bodies. It keeps the relevant bureaux and departments of the HKSAR Government informed about the latest developments in the Mainland. This enables the Government to have a better understanding of the policies and practices in the Mainland so as to evaluate their possible implications on Hong Kong. On the instructions of the bureaux and departments of the HKSAR Government, the Beijing Office also takes necessary actions with the Mainland authorities on specific issues.
The Beijing Office regularly organises activities to promote Hong Kong with a view to enhancing the Mainland people's understanding of Hong Kong's systems and latest developments, strengthening trade and economic links, as well as facilitating exchanges between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
In addition, the Beijing Office handles immigration matters. It processes applications for entry to Hong Kong and conducts negotiations on visa-free access with foreign diplomatic missions in Beijing. The office also provides practical assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress in the Mainland, and handles on request cases involving the detention of Hong Kong residents in the Mainland.
Advisory and Statutory Bodies
The network of advisory and statutory bodies is a distinctive feature of the system of government. It seeks to obtain, through consultation with interested groups and individuals in the community, the best possible advice on which to base decisions or to perform statutory functions.
Advisory bodies give advice to the Government through a policy secretary or a head of department. Their areas of activities are wide-ranging. Some of the advisory bodies, such as the Telecommunications Standards Advisory Committee, deal with the interests of a particular industry. Others advise on a particular area of government policy interest, such as the Transport Advisory Committee. Some advisory bodies, such as the District Fire Safety Committees and Area Committees, deal essentially with district affairs. Statutory bodies perform their functions according to the relevant legislation. Some of them, such as the Hospital Authority, perform executive functions.