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Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question by the Hon Albert Chan on assistance to Hong Kong residents overseas if in distress in the Legislative Council today (March 7):
Question:
Recently, a member of the public told me that while on a business trip in Pakistan holding a British National (Overseas) passport (BN(O) passport), he was treated with violence and kidnapped by the local police. After several failed attempts to seek help from the local Chinese diplomatic and consular mission (CDCM), he sought help from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). However, the HKSAR Government only referred his case back to that CDCM, and no assistance was offered to him in the end. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) given that in her reply to a Member's question at the Council meeting on October 25, 2000, the then Secretary for Security said that Hong Kong residents of Chinese nationality holding BN(O) passports might approach the local CDCMs for assistance if they needed help when travelling abroad, and if the Immigration Department of the HKSAR received any request for assistance from BN(O) passport holders when travelling abroad or from their relatives in Hong Kong, the Immigration Department of the HKSAR would immediately liaise with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR and the local CDCM for assistance, whether these arrangements still apply at present; if not, how the HKSAR Government will assist those Hong Kong permanent residents holding BN(O) passports who seek its help while they are abroad; and
(b) how the HKSAR Government will assist Hong Kong permanent residents holding BN(O) passports who get into trouble when travelling abroad for pleasure or business, but are denied assistance by the CDCMs there?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) As pointed out by the Government in the reply to a Member's question at the Council meeting on October 25, 2000, Hong Kong residents of Chinese nationality holding BN(O) passports might approach the local Chinese Embassies/Consulates for assistance if they needed help when travelling abroad, and if the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) received any request for assistance from BN(O) passport holders when travelling abroad or from their relatives in Hong Kong, the department would immediately liaise with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR (OCMFA) and the local Chinese Embassies/Consulates for assistance. These arrangements still apply today; and
(b) Hong Kong residents of Chinese nationality if in distress when travelling abroad, whether they are holding travel documents issued by the Government of the HKSAR or BN(O) passports, may approach the local Chinese Embassies/Consulates for assistance. The Chinese Embassies/Consulates will not refuse to process such requests for assistance and will provide all practicable assistance according to the situation of individual cases.
The Government attaches great importance to the provision of assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress when they are travelling abroad, including those using BN(O) passports as travel documents. In this respect, the Government closely liaises and co-operates with OCMFA, overseas Chinese Embassies/Consulates, Consulates-General of foreign countries in Hong Kong and other relevant government departments and organisations, with a view to providing early and practicable assistance to the Hong Kong residents, such as contacting their relatives, assisting their return to Hong Kong, liaising with the local authorities etc.
Ends/Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Issued at HKT 15:00
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