|
|
|
Reunification On July 1, 1997, Hong Kong entered a new era as a Special Administrative Region (the HKSAR) of the People's Republic of China. Under the concept of 'One Country, Two Systems', Hong Kong is charting its own course, with the exception of foreign affairs and defence. The HKSAR's constitutional document - the Basic Law - guarantees the capitalist system and way of life in Hong Kong will remain unchanged for 50 years. Hong Kong has been promised, and is exercising, a high degree of autonomy and continues, among other things, to manage its own economic policies and finances, issue its own currency, keep its low and simple tax regime, enjoy independent executive, legislative and judicial power, maintain its own laws and common law system, employ its own civil service and remain a free port and a separate customs territory. Some 6 500 foreign and local media in Hong Kong for the reunification, and a world-wide television audience in the hundreds of millions, witnessed the establishment of the HKSAR, the swearing in of the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, and his 'Cabinet' the Executive Council; the swearing in of the Provisional Legislative Council, all serving principal government officials (except two who retired) and the Judiciary, including Hong Kong's first Chief Justice of the Court of Final Appeal. The Central People's Government established the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA Office) in Hong Kong on July 1, 1997. Since then, the MFA Office and HKSAR Government have worked closely, mainly in relation to Hong Kong's continued participation in international organisations and conferences, negotiation and conclusion of agreements, and the management of foreign consular and other official and semi-official missions. Since July 1, the CPG has authorised the HKSAR Government to conclude 35 bilateral agreements - 19 air services, seven overflight, seven reciprocal juridical assistance and two visa abolition. The Hong Kong SAR has taken part in 44 international conferences limited to states as part of the PRC delegation and participated on its own, using the name 'Hong Kong, China', in more than 500 inter-national conferences not limited to states. A total of 100 foreign states has maintained an official or semi-official presence in Hong Kong including 53 consulates-general, 41 honorary consuls and six semi-official (mainly trade) missions. Recognising world-wide interest in Hong Kong before and after reunification, the HKSARG has compiled reports on the implementation of two international covenants in the first year of the HKSAR. Reports on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Inter-national Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will be submitted in August via the MFA Office to China's Permanent Representative to the UN for onward transmission. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Forces Hong Kong (Hong Kong Garrison) assumed defence responsibilities for the HKSAR at zero hour on July 1. The Garrison has settled in well since arrival and has been an almost invisible element of Hong Kong life. About the only time uniforms can be seen are on the guards at the front gate of PLA HQ in Hong Kong. Effective liaison and co-operation has been established between the HKSARG and the Garrison.
|
