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Constitution and Administration
Foreign representation in the HKSAR includes 58 consulates-general and 64 consulates. Six international bodies have representative offices in Hong Kong, including the new Asia Pacific Regional Office of the Hague Conference on Private International Law established in December 2012.
Working Relationship with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA Office)
The HKSAR Government continues to work closely with the MFA Office in Hong Kong in the following areas:
(a) participation in international organisations and conferences, such as obtaining the CPG's approval for HKSAR Government officials to participate as members of the PRC delegation in international conferences limited to states;
(b) negotiation and conclusion of international agreements, such as obtaining the CPG's specific authorisation for the negotiation and conclusion of agreements with foreign
states;
(c) consular protection for Hong Kong people in distress overseas; and
(d) matters relating to consular missions in the HKSAR.
Working Relationship with the Mainland Authorities
The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau is responsible for co-ordinating contacts between the HKSAR Government and the Mainland authorities, promoting regional co- operation initiatives between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and overseeing the operation of the HKSAR Government's Mainland Offices.
The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) assists the HKSAR Government in developing contacts with the Mainland authorities. The HKSAR Government also liaises closely with the HKMAO on matters of mutual concern and on arrangements for official visits between the Mainland and Hong Kong.
The HKSAR Government continues to deepen regional co-operation with various Mainland provinces/municipalities.
As the province closest to Hong Kong, Guangdong has the most extensive ties with Hong Kong. Promulgated in March 2011, the Dedicated Chapter on Hong Kong and Macao in the National 12th Five-Year Plan emphasises the importance of deepening Hong Kong/Guangdong co-operation and implementing the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Co- operation, elevating Hong Kong/Guangdong co-operation to the national development strategy level.
At the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference in September 2012, the two sides agreed to focus on promoting the early achievement of liberalisation of trade in services
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