ENG-1999 — Page 48

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

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Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and their subsidiary bodies. HKSARG representatives also participated as members of the PRC delegation in more than 150 international conferences limited to states, including those organised by international organisations such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICÃO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), Universal Postal Union (UPU) and International Labour Organisation (ILO). Active participation in international activities has enabled the HKSAR to maintain its status as an international financial and trade centre as well as a free port.

In 1999, the HKSAR played host to the Third Ministers' Forum on Infrastructure Development in the Asia-Pacific Region and the 20th APEC Human Resources Development Working Group Meeting.

A total of 100 foreign states maintained their official or semi-official presence in Hong Kong, including: 54 consulates general, 40 honorary consuls, and six semi- official (mostly trade) missions.

Working Relations with the Mainland Authorities

Since reunification, the HKSAR has made significant progress in developing and maintaining a cordial and constructive working relationship with the CPG and other Mainland authorities. Through a wide range of exchanges including visits, meetings, seminars and training programmes, many bureaux and departments of the HKSARG have enhanced mutual understanding with their Mainland counterparts. Some have also signed memoranda of understanding to underline the commitment of both sides to co-operate in such areas as postal service, marine conservation and the fight against intellectual property piracy. Apart from working exchanges with the Mainland authorities, social gatherings in the form of sports activities and attendance at ceremonial functions have also continued to grow.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council plays the role of a facilitator and provides assistance to the HKSARG in developing official contacts with Mainland authorities. Liaison with the HKMAO is maintained on matters such as arrangement of visits by senior HKSARG officials and issues requiring the co-operation of the CPG such as discussion on the avoidance of double taxation on income. Meetings are held between the Constitutional Affairs Bureau and the HKMAO to further enhance communications.

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 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. Since 1982, 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, for example, the fight against cross-boundary crime and the regulation of the Shenzhen River. The Hong Kong and Mainland Cross-boundary Major Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee handles cross-boundary infrastructure projects between Hong Kong and