14 Constitution and Administration
corps, such as the issue of consular identity cards, actual provision of privileges and immunities and ensuring the security of consular premises.
Working Relationship with the Mainland Authorities
Since reunification, the HKSAR Government has made significant progress in developing and maintaining a cordial working relationship with the CPG and other Mainland authorities. Through a wide range of exchanges, including visits, meetings, seminars and training programmes, various bureaux and departments of the HKSAR Government have enhanced mutual understanding with their Mainland counterparts. Some have also made arrangements to underline the commitment of both sides to cooperate in such areas as postal services, marine conservation and the fight against. intellectual property piracy.
The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council plays the role of a facilitator and provides assistance to the HKSAR Government in developing official contacts with Mainland authorities. Liaison with the HKMAO is also maintained on arrangements of visits by HKSAR Government officials and on other matters of mutural concern.
Article 22 of the Basic Law provides that no department of the CPG and no province, autonomous region, or municipality may interfere in the affairs which the HKSAR administers on its own in accordance with the Basic Law. The HKMAO continues to play the role of a 'gate-keeper' to ensure that the Mainland authorities at all levels conduct business with the HKSAR in line with this principle.
As the closest Mainland province, Guangdong has probably the most extensive network of communication with the HKSAR. For 23 years, the Cross-boundary Liaison System has provided an effective mechanism for Hong Kong and Guangdong to discuss and resolve practical issues of mutual concern, including the fight against cross-boundary crime and the regulation of the Shenzhen River. Cooperation with Guangdong was further strengthened with the establishment of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference (Joint Conference) in March 1998. It provides a high-level forum to explore and coordinate major initiatives in cooperation between Hong Kong and Guangdong. On August 4, the Seventh Plenary meeting of the Joint Conference was held under the co-chairmanship of the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and the Governor of Guangdong. The two sides reached agreements on many fronts, such as capitalising on the opportunities brought about by the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA) to expedite cooperation in commerce and trade, as well as enhancing cooperation in control point operation, infrastructure, tourism, innovation and technology, education and environmental protection. The two sides also agreed to set up three new expert groups respectively on promoting Pan-Pearl River Delta cooperation, town planning and development, and civil service exchange, thus increasing the number of expert groups to a total of 17. Alongside the 17 expert groups, the Hong Kong Guangdong Strategic Development Research Group continues to conduct research into subjects which have a significant bearing on Hong Kong/Guangdong cooperation while the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council provides a forum for Hong Kong and