What has the Central People's Government done in foreign affairs relating to Hong Kong after its return to the motherland?
2000-11-15 14:16
In accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law, we dealt with in a conscientious way a great number of foreign affairs relating to Hong Kong which are the responsibilities of the Central Government and assisted the SAR government in dealing with many external affairs. The work that has been done falls into five aspects:
In the field of international organizations and international agreements, we facilitated the participation of 120 international conferences by SAR government officials including foreign nationals in the capacity of members of the Chinese government delegations. We authorized the issuance of full powers by the SAR government for participation on its own in international conferences. In the name of the Central Government, we filed applications for the SAR government to host the ITU Asia Telecom 2000 and the international Conference for Regulating Pharmacy. We assisted the SAR government in hosting ten other governmental international conferences. We approved the joining of two international organizations by the SAR, and the setting up of offices in Hong Kong by two international organizations. We assisted the SAR government in formulating the UN Legislation on Sanctions and making decisions for the implementation of 17 resolutions on sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council. We promoted the abolishment of "the first port of asylum" policy for Indochinese refuges while giving guidance to the SAR government on this matter. In the field of treaties and laws, we issued 130 documents of authorization to the SAR government, authorizing it to conduct negotiations and sign bilateral agreements on civil aviation, over-flights of scheduled airlines, investment protection, the transfer of fugitives and sentenced persons, and criminal and judicial assistance. We authorized the HKSAR government to conclude visa abolition agreements or make administrative arrangements with foreign states (with the exception of states having no diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China). We examined the initialed texts of 45 bilateral agreements, which the SAR government needs to report to the Central Government for approval. Multilaterally, we asked for the opinions of the SAR government on the application in Hong Kong of 14 international conventions involving civil aviation, environment protection and labour. We notified and gave explanations to the SAR government concerning the application in Hong Kong of 7 international conventions relating to national defence and foreign affairs. We assisted the SAR government in submitting reports or data covering over 100 items to mechanism of international conventions. We received and examined more than 170 cases on judicial assistance between Hong Kong and foreign countries in the criminal, civil and commercial fields. In the consular field, we dealt with matters regarding the signing of agreements between the Chinese government and 12 foreign countries including Korea and Iran on the establishment of consular missions by these countries in Hong Kong. We confirmed the appointment of 46 Consul Generals and honorary consuls. We rendered consular protection and initiated rescue and relief actions to Hong Kong residents facing distress overseas. Working together with relevant Chinese embassies and consulates and the SAR Government, we dealt with 336 cases of consular affairs relating to Hong Kong, 20 of which were settled with fairly big successes. We issued more than 1.1 million visas, passports and other documents. In the protocol field, we passed on 50 requests to the SAR government of important foreign guests for a visit to Hong Kong, 30 requests for transit in Hong Kong with courteous receptions and 10 requests for meeting with Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa. In the meantime, we notified relevant Chinese embassies and consulates on 26 occasions of intended overseas visits by Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and senior officials of the SAR government, and active coordination was given by relevant Chinese diplomatic missions. We granted approvals of 125 foreign warships to visit the ports of Hong Kong , including 97 U.S. warships which actually visited Hong Kong. We also approved requests of l96 foreign state aircraft for access to Hong Kong, including 130 U.S. military aircraft that actually flew to Hong Kong. In the field of information, we approved requests of 790 foreign newsmen in 291 groups for news reporting in China's inland areas. We also approved requests of 217 members of Hong Kong press of visiting delegations for interviews of Chinese leaders on 11 occasions. A total of 203 conferences for news release and responding to pressmen's questions have been held.
In the field of international organizations and international agreements, we facilitated the participation of 120 international conferences by SAR government officials including foreign nationals in the capacity of members of the Chinese government delegations. We authorized the issuance of full powers by the SAR government for participation on its own in international conferences. In the name of the Central Government, we filed applications for the SAR government to host the ITU Asia Telecom 2000 and the international Conference for Regulating Pharmacy. We assisted the SAR government in hosting ten other governmental international conferences. We approved the joining of two international organizations by the SAR, and the setting up of offices in Hong Kong by two international organizations. We assisted the SAR government in formulating the UN Legislation on Sanctions and making decisions for the implementation of 17 resolutions on sanctions adopted by the UN Security Council. We promoted the abolishment of "the first port of asylum" policy for Indochinese refuges while giving guidance to the SAR government on this matter. In the field of treaties and laws, we issued 130 documents of authorization to the SAR government, authorizing it to conduct negotiations and sign bilateral agreements on civil aviation, over-flights of scheduled airlines, investment protection, the transfer of fugitives and sentenced persons, and criminal and judicial assistance. We authorized the HKSAR government to conclude visa abolition agreements or make administrative arrangements with foreign states (with the exception of states having no diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China). We examined the initialed texts of 45 bilateral agreements, which the SAR government needs to report to the Central Government for approval. Multilaterally, we asked for the opinions of the SAR government on the application in Hong Kong of 14 international conventions involving civil aviation, environment protection and labour. We notified and gave explanations to the SAR government concerning the application in Hong Kong of 7 international conventions relating to national defence and foreign affairs. We assisted the SAR government in submitting reports or data covering over 100 items to mechanism of international conventions. We received and examined more than 170 cases on judicial assistance between Hong Kong and foreign countries in the criminal, civil and commercial fields. In the consular field, we dealt with matters regarding the signing of agreements between the Chinese government and 12 foreign countries including Korea and Iran on the establishment of consular missions by these countries in Hong Kong. We confirmed the appointment of 46 Consul Generals and honorary consuls. We rendered consular protection and initiated rescue and relief actions to Hong Kong residents facing distress overseas. Working together with relevant Chinese embassies and consulates and the SAR Government, we dealt with 336 cases of consular affairs relating to Hong Kong, 20 of which were settled with fairly big successes. We issued more than 1.1 million visas, passports and other documents. In the protocol field, we passed on 50 requests to the SAR government of important foreign guests for a visit to Hong Kong, 30 requests for transit in Hong Kong with courteous receptions and 10 requests for meeting with Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa. In the meantime, we notified relevant Chinese embassies and consulates on 26 occasions of intended overseas visits by Chief Executive Tung Chee Hwa and senior officials of the SAR government, and active coordination was given by relevant Chinese diplomatic missions. We granted approvals of 125 foreign warships to visit the ports of Hong Kong , including 97 U.S. warships which actually visited Hong Kong. We also approved requests of l96 foreign state aircraft for access to Hong Kong, including 130 U.S. military aircraft that actually flew to Hong Kong. In the field of information, we approved requests of 790 foreign newsmen in 291 groups for news reporting in China's inland areas. We also approved requests of 217 members of Hong Kong press of visiting delegations for interviews of Chinese leaders on 11 occasions. A total of 203 conferences for news release and responding to pressmen's questions have been held.