ENG-2006 — Page 40

12 Constitution and Administration

In 2006, representatives of the HKSAR Government, as members of the PRC delegation, took part in over 100 international conferences limited to states, including those organised by the World Intellectual Property Organisation, the World Health Organisation and the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The HKSAR also took part in over 1 400 other inter-governmental conferences not limited to states in the capacity of 'Hong Kong, China', including those organised by the World Trade Organisation, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the World Customs Organisation.

Hong Kong played host to a number of prominent international events, including the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2006, the first time the event was held outside Geneva where the ITU's headquarters is located.

In accordance with Article 151 of the Basic Law, the HKSAR concluded 20 agreements with foreign states in 2006 on matters such as customs cooperation, postal cooperation, cultural cooperation, as well as public health cooperation. With the authorisation of the Central People's Government, the HKSAR also concluded 10 bilateral agreements with foreign states on air services, mutual legal assistance, readmission of persons, transfer of sentenced persons and surrender of fugitive offenders matters in the year. In 2006, after seeking the views of the HKSAR Government, the CPG decided that four multilateral conventions should be applied to the HKSAR.

Active participation in international activities and close liaison with our international partners has enabled the HKSAR to maintain its status as an international financial, trade, civil aviation and shipping centre.

There is a large foreign representation in the HKSAR, including 57 consulates- general, 55 honorary consuls and five officially recognised international bodies.

Working Relationship of the HKSARG with the MFA Office

The HKSAR Government continues to work closely with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA Office) in Hong Kong, which was established by the Central People's Government, in the following areas:

such as

(a) participation in international organisations and conferences, such

obtaining the CPG's approval for HKSAR Government officials to participate as members of the PRC delegation in international conferences limited to states;

(b) negotiation and conclusion of international agreements, such as obtaining the CPG's specific authorisation for the negotiation and conclusion of agreements with foreign states in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law;

(c) consular protection for Hong Kong people in distress overseas; and

(d) matters relating to consular missions in the HKSAR. The establishment of foreign consular and other official or semi-official missions is a matter for the