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Constitution and Administration

participation in international organisations and conferences, such as obtaining the CPG's views for HKSAR Government officials to take part in international conferences limited to states as members of the PRC delegation;

negotiation and conclusion of agreements, such as obtaining the CPG's authorisation to negotiate and conclude agreements with foreign states as necessary;

• consular protection for Hong Kong residents in distress overseas; and

• matters relating to consular missions in the HKSAR.

Working Relationship with Mainland and Macao Authorities

The Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau coordinates contacts between the HKSAR Government and the Mainland and Macao authorities, promotes regional cooperation between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and between Hong Kong and Macao, and oversees the operation of the HKSAR Government's Mainland offices.

The Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council facilitates the HKSAR Government's development of contacts with the Mainland authorities, and liaises closely with the HKSAR Government on matters of mutual concern and on arrangements for official visits between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

Regional Cooperation with the Mainland

The HKSAR Government is committed to strengthening regional cooperation with the Mainland and performing an active role as a facilitator and promotor, so as to identify more business and development opportunities for Hong Kong people and enterprises. Hong Kong participates actively in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), deepens regional cooperation through its cooperation mechanisms with the Pan- Pearl River Delta (PPRD) region, Guangdong, Beijing, Shanghai, Fujian, Sichuan and Shenzhen, and promotes regional cooperation with the other provinces and municipalities by adopting a pragmatic approach and launching initiatives once they are ready.

Development of the GBA

The GBA comprises the two SARs of Hong Kong and Macao as well as nine municipalities in Guangdong: Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Huizhou, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen and Zhaoqing.

In 2020, the HKSAR maintained close liaison with the CPG, the Guangdong provincial and municipal governments and the Macao SAR Government in taking forward the GBA's development in line with the Outline Development Plan promulgated in 2019.

On 30 October, the Chief Executive and the Governor of Guangdong Province signed the 2020 Work Plan of the Framework Agreement on Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation, reaffirming commitment to the Outline Development Plan and to further deepening the

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