ENG-2011 — Page 54

18 | Constitution and Administration

(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

The Government continues to maintain a cordial working relationship with the CPG and other Mainland authorities. This is enhanced through visits, meetings, seminars and other exchanges.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council (HKMAO) assists the HKSAR Government in developing contacts with the Mainland authorities. The Government also liaises closely with the HKMAO on matters of mutual concern and on 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 Constitutional Affairs Bureau was retitled Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau with effect from July 1, 2007 to reflect more clearly one of the bureau's key functions: co-ordinating and promoting closer ties and co-operation with the Mainland. The bureau is responsible for co-ordinating contacts between the HKSAR Government and the Mainland authorities, promoting regional co-operation initiatives between Hong Kong and the Mainland, as well as overseeing the operation of HKSAR Government's Mainland Offices.

Officially promulgated in March 2011, the National 12th Five-Year Plan has unprecedentedly included a dedicated chapter on the Hong Kong and Macao Special Administration Regions (the Dedicated Chapter). The Dedicated Chapter elaborates on the significant functions and positioning of the HKSAR in the country's development strategy. This is a significant breakthrough in Hong Kong's efforts in complementing the implementation of the National 12th Five-Year Plan.

In August 2011, the Vice-Premier of the State Council, Mr Li Keqiang, visited Hong Kong and announced a series of policies and measures (New Supporting Policies and Measures) formulated by the CPG to support Hong Kong in further developing and deepening its co-operation with the Mainland, thus providing a solid policy framework for the HKSAR in complementing the implementation of the National 12th Five-Year Plan.

The Dedicated Chapter and the New Supporting Policies and Measures signify the CPG's strong support for maintaining the long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong and provide a historic opportunity for the future development of Hong Kong. The HKSAR Government will continue to implement the Dedicated Chapter and the New Supporting Policies and Measures by liaising with the relevant Mainland authorities and taking forward the various regional co-operation initiatives.