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medicines, reserved commodities, rough diamonds and other prohibited articles, as well as compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. The department is also tasked with collecting import and export declarations, declaration charges and clothing levies, and enforcing the relevant statutory controls on these systems.

The department also enforces the criminal laws that protect copyright and trade marks, and consumer protection legislation relating to the safety of consumer goods, the provision of accurate sales information on products, and the integrity of weights and measures.

Intellectual Property Department

The Intellectual Property Department operates the trade marks, patents, designs and copyright licensing bodies registries, advises on policy and legislation related to intellectual property protection, provides civil intellectual property legal advice to the Government, and promotes public awareness of and respect for intellectual property rights.

Overseas Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices

There are 11 overseas Hong Kong ETOS located in Berlin, Brussels, Geneva, London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto and Washington DC. With the exception of the Geneva office, which represents Hong Kong, China, as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and as an observer to the Trade Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development headquartered in Paris, the other 10 ETOS seek to promote Hong Kong's economic and trade interests by enhancing understanding of Hong Kong among opinion-formers; closely monitoring developments that might affect Hong Kong's economic and trade interests; and liaising closely with the business and commercial sectors, politicians, think tanks and the news media. They also regularly organise events to promote Hong Kong's image.

The Brussels office takes up a leading role in representing Hong Kong on matters relating to Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in Europe, in particular in dealings with the European Union, European Commission and European Parliament. It also promotes bilateral relations in 15 European countries. The London office represents Hong Kong's interests and promotes bilateral relations in nine European countries. Hong Kong's representative to the International Maritime Organisation is based in the London office. The Berlin office, which commenced operation in March 2009, further strengthens Hong Kong's representation in Europe, fostering closer economic and trade ties between Hong Kong and eight countries in central and eastern Europe.

The Washington office represents Hong Kong's interests in the capital of the United States. It liaises closely with the US Administration, Congress and think tanks and monitors government policies and legislation that may have implications on Hong Kong's economic and trade relationships with the US. The New York office is responsible for promoting Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in 31 states in