ENG-2001 — Page 51

CONSTITUTION AND ADMINISTRATION

Electoral System for the District Councils

Eighteen District Councils are established in the HKSAR to advise the Government on district affairs and to promote recreational and cultural activities, and environmental improvements within the districts. A District Council is composed of elected members, appointed members, and, in the case of District Councils in rural areas, the chairmen of Rural Committees as ex officio members. The HKSAR is divided into 390 constituencies, in each of which a member is elected. The simple majority method is adopted in these elections.

Electoral Affairs Commission

The Electoral Affairs Commission, an independent statutory body, is responsible for ensuring that elections in the HKSAR are conducted openly, honestly and fairly. It comprises three politically neutral persons appointed by the Chief Executive and is headed by a High Court judge. It is responsible for making recommendations to the Chief Executive on the delineation of geographical constituencies and District Council constituencies, making regulations on practical arrangements for the Legislative Council election, the District Council election and the Chief Executive election, and handling complaints relating to these elections. Its executive arm is the Registration and Electoral Office, a government department headed by the Chief Electoral Officer. The department works under the commission's direction and carries out its decisions.

Working Relationship of the HKSARG with the MFA Office

Article 13 of the Basic Law of the HKSAR provides that:

The CPG shall be responsible for the foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC shall establish an office in Hong Kong to deal with foreign affairs.

The CPG authorises the HKSAR to conduct relevant external affairs on its own in accordance with the Basic Law.

The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the HKSAR (MFA Office) was established by the CPG to deal with the foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR. Since reunification, the HKSAR Government has established effective communication channels with various departments of the MFA Office in handling the external affairs of the HKSAR, working in strict accordance with the Basic Law. The HKSAR Government liaises closely with the MFA Office in the following areas:

(a) participation in international organisations and conferences

where necessary,

the approval of the CPG will be sought in accordance with the Basic Law. For instance, the CPG's approval is required if the HKSAR wishes to participate in an international organisation or conference limited to states (BL 152); (b) negotiation and conclusion of international agreements with foreign states and regions where necessary, the CPG's authorisation will be obtained in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law. For example, CPG's specific authorisation is required for the negotiation and conclusion of Air Services Agreements with foreign states (BL 133); and

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