ENG-2004 — Page 39

Constitution and Administration 13

states, including those organised by the International Telecommunication Union, World Intellectual Property Organisation, International Monetary Fund, Universal Postal Union and International Labour Organisation. Representatives of the HKSAR Government, using the name 'Hong Kong, China', also participated more than 660 times in inter-governmental conferences not limited to states, including those organised by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council, World Trade Organisation, World Customs Organisation and World Meteorological Organisation. Active participation in international activities has enabled the HKSAR to maintain its status as an international financial, trade, civil aviation and shipping centre.

In 2004, the HKSAR played host to a number of prominent events, including the United Nations Asia-Pacific Leadership Forum: Sustainable Development for Cities and the Asian Cultural Cooperation Forum.

At year-end, a total of 111 foreign states maintained an official presence in the HKSAR, including 56 consulates general and 55 honorary consuls. In addition, international organisations such as the Bank for International Settlements, the European Union, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Monetary Fund, the international Finance Corporation and the World Bank have set up offices in the HKSAR.

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, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC shall establish an office in Hong Kong to deal with foreign affairs.

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 foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR. Since July 1, 1997, the HKSAR Government has established effective communication channels with the MFA Office in handling the external affairs of the HKSAR, 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 for instance, obtaining the CPG's approval for HKSAR Government officials to participate as members of the PRC delegation in international conferences limited to states (Basic Law Article 152);

(b) negotiation and conclusion of international agreements with foreign states and regions for example, obtaining the CPG's specific authorisation for the negotiation and conclusion of Air Services Agreements with foreign states in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law (Basic Law Article 133); and

(c) matters relating to the establishment of consular missions in the HKSAR

the establishment of foreign consular and other official or semi-official missions is a matter for the MFA Office (Basic Law Article 157). The HKSAR Government is responsible for the day-to-day management of the consular