The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) are the trade offices of Hong Kong outside the territory. There are 14 HKETOs outside Hong Kong and China, and seven in China (four offices and three liaison units).
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 British 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 (Chinese: 兩局及行政科) of the Hong Kong Government.[1][2]
HKETO Brussels is the second among all HKETOs, marking its 50th anniversary in 2015.[3]
In preparation for the handover, the British and Chinese 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. [citation needed] In the United Kingdom, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996[4] conferred a number of personal immunity and tax privileges on the HKETO in London.[5]
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,[6] and HKETO in Sydney by the Overseas Missions (Privileges and Immunities) Act 1995.[7]
Hong Kong Free Press revealed that HKTDC paid around HKD $84,000,000 from 2014 to 2020 to US lobbying firms, on behalf of the Hong Kong government, in an attempt to convince US politicians to object to the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act.[8] The lobbyist contracts were signed by the HKTDC, and the HKETO in Washington D.C. gave instructions to the lobbyists.[9]
Functions
Hong Kong has full autonomy in the conduct of its external commercial relations. The Basic Law of the Hong Kong provides that it shall be a separate customs territory and may, using the name 'Hong Kong, China', participate in relevant international organisations and international trade agreements, such as the World Trade Organization.
The HKETOs concentrate most of their work on promoting Hong Kong's economic and trade interests. The major function of HKETOs include:
Enhancing understanding of Hong Kong among opinion-formers
Monitoring developments that might affect Hong Kong's economic and trading interests
Liaising closely with the business and commercial sectors, politicians and the news media.
Organise events to promote Hong Kong's image
Regularly meeting with counterparts and contacts in the territories under their purview
Organizes overseas visits of senior Hong Kong officials
In countries or territories where no HKETO is present, diplomatic missions of China 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.
The privileges and immunities granted to the HKETOs are the result of negotiations with the host governments and these vary from one office to another. In some cases, the host governments (such as the United Kingdom, Australia[10] and Germany) have granted certain privileges and immunities to the HKETOs through dedicated domestic legislation.
At present, all eleven overseas HKETOs have been granted certain privileges and immunities by respective host governments to facilitate the HKETOs to discharge their duties without intervention. Broadly speaking, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the HKETOs mainly include the inviolability of premises, official correspondence, archives and documents as well as the exemption of premises and representatives from taxation.[11]
HKETO Berlin (Germany) is the only regional representative office that has a quasi-diplomatic status.[12]
Locations
Countries hosting one or more offices
██ Bangkok office and covered countries ██ Berlin office and covered countries ██ Brussels office and covered countries ██ Jakarta office and covered countries ██ London office and covered countries ██ Singapore office and covered countries ██ Sydney office and covered countries
The HKETOs outside of mainland China, particularly those in Europe and Asia, have responsibilities for several countries.[13][14] Those in the mainland similarly have responsibilities across several provinces.[15]
The building where Economic and Trade Office in London was formerly located.HK Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, USA.HKETO in Singapore, on the 34th floor of the office building at Suntec City Tower 2.Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in the Dupont Circle neighbourhood of Washington, D.C.HKETO in Toronto, Canada.
Responsible for the European Union and covering also the relations with Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Spain and Turkey.[19]
