ENG-2005 — Page 42

16 Constitution and Administration

personnel exchanges; financial services and education, health and sports. The two sides liaise closely on the implementation of these cooperative initiatives.

The first Hong Kong/Beijing Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference was held on September 2, 2004. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation on finance and trade, professional exchanges, education, culture, tourism, environmental protection and capturing the business opportunities prompted by the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

Office of the HKSAR Government in Beijing

The Beijing Office's main functions are to further enhance liaison and communication between the HKSAR Government and the CPG and other Mainland authorities, and to handle immigration-related matters.

The office enables the HKSAR Government to have a better understanding of the policies and practices on the Mainland and to evaluate their potential effect on Hong Kong. It also updates the CPG, other Mainland authorities and Mainland residents on the latest developments in Hong Kong. The Beijing Office takes necessary action with the Mainland authorities on specific issues following instructions from the relevant bureaux and departments of the HKSAR Government. It also provides information and handles enquiries about Hong Kong from Mainland residents, in addition to dealing with requests for assistance from Hong Kong residents in the Mainland. In 2005, it handled 385 enquiries and requests for assistance.

The office promotes Hong Kong's business and professional sectors. In 2005, the office organised two events in Hebei and Hubei provinces to promote Hong Kong's financial services, professional services, tourism, inward investment and various trade and industry sectors. These were complemented by regular publicity efforts through the mass media, such as a weekly programme with an estimated audience of about 1.5 million broadcast on China National Radio. The office also maintains close contact with the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad and keeps track of preparations for the Expo 2010 Shanghai China in order to update Hong Kong on business opportunities arising from these global events.

The office processes applications for entry to Hong Kong, conducts negotiations on visa-free access with foreign diplomatic missions in Beijing, handles enquiries on immigration matters, and provides assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress in the Mainland. In 2005 the office received 5 594 entry applications, 14 077 enquiries and 331 distress cases.

Advisory and Statutory Bodies

The network of advisory and statutory bodies is a distinctive feature of the system of government. It seeks to obtain, through consultation with interested groups and individuals, the best possible advice on which to base decisions or to perform statutory functions.

Advisory bodies give advice to the Government through a Principal Official or a Head of Department. A few advisory bodies tender their advice directly to the Chief