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Constitution and Administration

Working Relationship with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA Office)

The HKSAR Government works closely with the MFA Office in Hong Kong in these areas:

participation in international organisations and conferences, such as obtaining the Central People's Government's (CPG) approval for HKSAR Government officials to take part as members of the PRC delegation in international conferences limited to states;

• negotiation and conclusion of international agreements, such as obtaining the CPG's specific authorisation for the negotiation and conclusion of agreements with foreign states;

• consular protection for Hong Kong people in distress overseas; and

⚫ matters relating to consular missions in the HKSAR.

Working Relationship with 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 facilitates the HKSAR Government's development of contacts with the Mainland authorities and liaises closely with the HKSAR Government on matters of mutual concern and on arrangements for official visits between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Co-operation with Mainland provinces/municipalities

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, further elevating their co-operation to a national development strategy level. A document entitled 'Proposal on Formulating the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan (2016-2020) on National Economic and Social Development' was issued in November 2015. It suggests enhancing exchange and co-operation on matters relating to society, livelihood, technology, culture, education and environmental protection among Hong Kong, Macao and the Mainland; and strengthening regional co-operation in the Pan-Pearl River Delta region.

At the 18th Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Co-operation Joint Conference in September 2015, the two sides reviewed the progress of their co-operation over the past year

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They are the Bank for International Settlements Representative Office for Asia and the Pacific; Hague Conference on Private International Law Asia Pacific Regional Office; International Finance Corporation Regional Office for East Asia and Pacific and the World Bank Private Sector Development Office for East Asia and Pacific; International Monetary Fund Hong Kong SAR Sub-Office; Office of the European Union; and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Sub- Office.

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