ENG-2007 — Page 49

Constitution and Administration 13

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 CPG, in the following areas:

(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 MFA Office. The HKSAR Government is responsible for the day-to-day management of the consular corps.

Working Relationship with the Mainland Authorities

Since reunification, the Government has made significant progress in developing and maintaining a cordial working relationship with the CPG and other Mainland authorities. Through a wide range of exchanges, including visits, meetings, seminars and training programmes, various bureaux and departments of the Government and their Mainland counterparts have enhanced mutual understanding.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office (HKMAO) of the State Council facilitates and provides assistance to the HKSAR Government in developing official contacts with Mainland authorities. The Government also maintains close liaison with HKMAO on matters of mutual concern and arrangements for official visits between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Article 22 of the Basic Law provides that no department of the CPG and no province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government may interfere in the affairs which the HKSAR administers on its own in accordance with the Basic Law. The CPG and other Mainland authorities have conducted business with the HKSAR in accordance with this principle.

The Constitutional Affairs Bureau was renamed as the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau on July 1, 2007 to reflect more clearly one of the bureau's key functions of coordinating and promoting closer ties and cooperation with the Mainland. The bureau's Mainland Affairs Liaison Office is responsible for coordinating liaison between the HKSAR Government and the relevant Mainland authorities, as well as promoting various regional cooperation initiatives between Hong Kong and the Mainland. It also oversees the operation of Hong Kong's Mainland offices.