ENG-1983 — Page 352

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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The London Office is the largest and carries the widest range of functions among the overseas offices. Besides providing a point of direct contact in London between Hong Kong and departments of the British Government, Members of Parliament, the media and organisations with an interest in Hong Kong, it also performs a range of specialised functions. It is responsible for all recruitment in the United Kingdom to the Hong Kong Civil Service and the Royal Hong Kong Police Force, and supervises further training courses. A recently-established section advises United Kingdom firms about opportunities for investment in Hong Kong industries. The office keeps under review British commercial, economic and industrial developments and official thinking on world-wide trade policies, and advises the Hong Kong Government on the likely repercussions of these developments on Hong Kong. It is concerned with the welfare of Hong Kong residents in Britain, maintains contact with them, and helps with problems arising from their living in Britain or relating to their families and interest in Hong Kong. It operates well-developed publicity services aimed at projecting Hong Kong's image to the British public and the Chinese community in Britain. A special section looks after the interests of Hong Kong students in the United Kingdom and runs the Hong Kong Students Centre in London.

Details of representation overseas are at Appendix 2.

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