Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
Encyclopedia
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) are the representations
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China abroad and in mainland China
. There are currently ten HKETOs overseas, and three in mainland China.
In addition to HKETOs, the Hong Kong Government has an office in Beijing
, the capital of the People's Republic of China
(the Beijing Office).
Since citizens of most countries do not need visa
s to enter Hong Kong, the HKETOs concentrate most of their work on promoting trade and tourism. In countries or territories where no HKETO is present, diplomatic missions of the PRC have the duty to represent Hong Kong's interests. Visa applications at these missions are, nevertheless, sent to and processed by the Immigration Department
of Hong Kong.
HKETO London serves concurrently as Hong Kong's permanent mission to the International Maritime Organisation, HKETO Brussels to the European Communities, and HKETO Geneva to the World Trade Organisation.
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embassy or high commission. By 1982, the Hong Kong Government Offices, with locations in London, Brussels, Washington and Geneva, were placed under the then Councils and Administration Branch (兩局及行政科).
In preparation for the handover, the British and PRC governments agreed that these offices should be renamed "Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices", to make clear that they did not have diplomatic or consular functions. In the United Kingdom, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 conferred a number of personal immunity and tax privileges on the HKETO in London.
Similar arrangements were negotiated with other host countries of HKETOs. For instance, the HKETO in Toronto is accredited by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada under the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Privileges and Immunities Order, and HKETO in Sydney by the Overseas Missions (Privileges and Immunities) Act.
Trade office
A trade office, sometimes known as a trade representation, commercial office, or trade mission, is an official establishment that promotes the commercial interests of a government in a foreign capital. The head of such an establishment is typically called a trade representative or commercial...
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China abroad and in mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
. There are currently ten HKETOs overseas, and three in mainland China.
In addition to HKETOs, the Hong Kong Government has an office in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, the capital of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(the Beijing Office).
Since citizens of most countries do not need visa
Visa (document)
A visa is a document showing that a person is authorized to enter the territory for which it was issued, subject to permission of an immigration official at the time of actual entry. The authorization may be a document, but more commonly it is a stamp endorsed in the applicant's passport...
s to enter Hong Kong, the HKETOs concentrate most of their work on promoting trade and tourism. In countries or territories where no HKETO is present, diplomatic missions of the PRC have the duty to represent Hong Kong's interests. Visa applications at these missions are, nevertheless, sent to and processed by the Immigration Department
Immigration Department (Hong Kong)
The Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong is responsible for immigration control of Hong Kong. After the People's Republic of China assumed sovereignty of the territory in July 1997, Hong Kong's immigration system remained largely unchanged from its British predecessor model...
of Hong Kong.
HKETO London serves concurrently as Hong Kong's permanent mission to the International Maritime Organisation, HKETO Brussels to the European Communities, and HKETO Geneva to the World Trade Organisation.
Organisation
All HKETOs were placed under the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau of the Hong Kong Government. Since the Mainland Affairs Liaison Office (內地事務統籌辦公室) was set up in April 2006 within the Constitutional Affairs Bureau, the HKETO in Guangdong, together with the Beijing Office (which was then under the Office of the Chief Secretary), were transferred the Constitutional Affairs Bureau. The HKETOs in Shanghai and Chengdu set up subsequently are also placed under the Constitutional Affairs Bureau. The HKETOs overseas have remained under the Commerce, Industry and Technology Bureau.Locations
The HKETOs overseas, particularly those in Europe and Asia, have responsibilities for several countries. Those in the mainland similarly have responsibilities across several provinces. The government had also announced its plan to establish an HKETO in Berlin.Overseas
- Berlin- Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, BerlinHong Kong Economic and Trade Office, BerlinHong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin commenced operation in Berlin, Germany in March 2009. It is responsible for promoting Hong Kong's economic and trade relations with eight Central European countries, namely Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and...
http://www.hketoberlin.gov.hk - Brussels - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels http://www.hongkong-eu.org
- Geneva - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Geneva http://www.hketogeneva.gov.hk
- London - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, LondonHong Kong Economic and Trade Office, LondonThe Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London is Hong Kong's representation in the United Kingdom. As a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong does not have an embassy....
http://www.hketolondon.gov.hk - New York City - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York http://www.hketousa.gov.hk/new_york.htm
- San Francisco - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco http://www.hketousa.gov.hk/san_francisco.htm
- Singapore - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Singapore) http://www.hketosin.gov.hk
- Sydney - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, SydneyHong Kong Economic and Trade Office, SydneyThe Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Sydney represents the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China's interests in Australia and New Zealand. The director is Lorna Wong....
http://www.hketosydney.org.au- Auckland - Correspondence and information hotline http://www.hketosydney.org.au/html/hketosydney.html
- Tokyo - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Tokyo http://www.hketotyo.or.jp/
- Seoul - Consultant office http://www.hketotyo.gov.hk/korea/en/abouteto/contact.html
- Toronto - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada) http://www.hketo.ca/
- Vancouver - Information office http://www.hketo.ca/about/hketo.html#vancouver
- Washington D.C. - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Washington D.C. http://www.hketousa.gov.hk/usa/index.htm http://www.hketowashington.gov.hk/dc/index.htm
Mainland China
- Chengdu - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu http://www.cdeto.gov.hk/
- Guangzhou - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong http://www.gdeto.gov.hk/
- Shanghai - Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai http://www.sheto.gov.hk/
History
Prior to the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong's commercial interests in its major trade markets were represented by Hong Kong Government Offices - consular matters were handled by the relevant BritishUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
embassy or high commission. By 1982, the Hong Kong Government Offices, with locations in London, Brussels, Washington and Geneva, were placed under the then Councils and Administration Branch (兩局及行政科).
In preparation for the handover, the British and PRC governments agreed that these offices should be renamed "Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices", to make clear that they did not have diplomatic or consular functions. In the United Kingdom, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 conferred a number of personal immunity and tax privileges on the HKETO in London.
Similar arrangements were negotiated with other host countries of HKETOs. For instance, the HKETO in Toronto is accredited by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada under the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Privileges and Immunities Order, and HKETO in Sydney by the Overseas Missions (Privileges and Immunities) Act.
See also
- Diplomatic missions in Hong KongDiplomatic missions in Hong KongThis is a list of consular posts in Hong Kong. As at January 2008, there are 57 consulates-general and 57 consulates , and five officially recognised bodies in Hong Kong...
- Foreign relations of Hong KongForeign relations of Hong KongHong Kong is a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China . Under the Basic Law of Hong Kong, its diplomatic relations and defence are the responsibility of the Central People's Government of the PRC. Nonetheless, Hong Kong has retained considerable autonomy in all other...
- Gibraltar Government Representative Office, London
- Gibraltar Government Representative Office, Brussels