Consular missions in Hong Kong
As of May 2024, there are 70 diplomatic missions in Hong Kong, of which 62 are consulates-general and 8 are officially recognised bodies in Hong Kong.[1] As Hong Kong has the status of a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, some consuls-general in Hong Kong report directly to their respective foreign ministries, rather than to their Embassies in Beijing.
Most of the consulates-general are located in the areas of Central, Admiralty, Wan Chai, Wan Chai North, Causeway Bay and Sheung Wan on Hong Kong Island and a handful in Kowloon. A few are also accredited to Macau.
Greater China representation
[edit]The central government of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong is represented through
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While Taiwan is represented through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Hong Kong.
Consulates General
[edit]Countries with no consulate-general in Hong Kong, are most likely to have an embassy in Beijing, making it the closest diplomatic mission for residents in Hong Kong.
A few consuls-general in Hong Kong have the rank of Ambassador, including Brazil[2], Japan[3], Philippines[4] and the United States[5], while other consuls-general have served elsewhere as Ambassadors or High Commissioners before serving in Hong Kong, for example Australia[6], Germany[7] and Israel[8].
Various consulates general are accredited to both Hong Kong and Macau. The Philippines operates consulates in both territories, and Portugal serves Hong Kong through its Macau consulate. Several consulates serving both Hong Kong and Macau indicate both territories in their official names, while others do not. In 2018 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China requested that consulates indicate only one of the territories in their official names even if they serve both territories; it did not send this request to the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao.[9]
- A
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- B
.svg/23px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small}
- C
.svg/23px-Flag_of_Canada_(Pantone).svg.png){kind=small}
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- P
Pakistan †[47]
Panama
Peru †[48]
Philippines[49]
Poland †[50]
Portugal ‡ (subordinate to the Consulate General in Macau)[51]
- Q
- R
- S
Saudi Arabia †[55]
Singapore †[56]
South Africa †[57]
Spain †[58]
Sweden † (Consulate General of Sweden)[59].svg/16px-Flag_of_Switzerland_(Pantone).svg.png)
Switzerland †[60]
- T
- U
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom x† (British Consulate General)[63]
United States x† (United States Consulate General)[64]
- V
- Z
†. Also accredited to Macau.
‡. Consulates-general resident in Macau and accredited to Hong Kong.
x. These consulate-general report directly to their respective foreign ministries, rather than to their Embassies in Beijing.
Missions of other recognised bodies
[edit]- Asian–African Legal Consultative Organization - AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre
- Bank for International Settlements – Representative Office for Asia and the Pacific
European Union – Office of the European Commission (Also accredited to Macau)[69]- Hague Conference on Private International Law – Asia Pacific Regional Office
- The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and The International Finance Corporation – IFC Regional Office for East Asia and Pacific and the World Bank Private Sector Development Office for East Asia and Pacific
- International Monetary Fund – Hong Kong SAR Sub-Office
- International Organization for Mediation Preparatory Office
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees – Sub-Office
History
[edit]When Hong Kong was under British rule, the Governor represented the British government, as well as the British monarch as head of state. Matters relating to British nationality were handled by the Hong Kong Immigration Department.[70]
However, the United Kingdom's commercial interests were represented by the British Trade Commission.[71] The last Senior Trade Commissioner, Francis Cornish, became the first British Consul-General following the transfer of sovereignty to China, on July 1, 1997.[72]
During the negotiations between Britain and China on the future of Hong Kong, the British proposed the establishment of a "British Commissioner" following the transfer of sovereignty to China, which the Chinese rejected as an attempt to make the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region into a member or associated member of the Commonwealth.[73]
As Hong Kong was a Colony (later Dependent Territory) of a Commonwealth country, some Commonwealth countries were represented by Commissions before the handover including Australia[74], Bangladesh[75], Canada[76], New Zealand[77], India[78], Malaysia[79], Nigeria[80] and Singapore[81].
After the transfer of sovereignty, they were renamed Consulates-General.[82] Similarly, the title of the head of mission was also changed, from Commissioner to Consul-General.[83] However, the Australian Commission had been renamed the Consulate-General in 1986.[84]
Although South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth in 1994, and its Embassies in Commonwealth countries were renamed High Commissions, the name of the South African Consulate General in Hong Kong remained unchanged.[85] Similarly, while Pakistan had rejoined the Commonwealth in 1989, the name of the Pakistan Consulate General in Hong Kong also remained unchanged.[86]
At the time of the transfer of sovereignty on 1 July 1997, South Africa did not have diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, as it had not yet transferred recognition from Taiwan.[87] However, it was able to maintain its Consulate-General for an interim six-month period, until relations with Beijing were established on 1 January 1998.[88]
Other countries which had chosen to maintain diplomatic relations with Taipei closed their consulates in Hong Kong prior to the transfer of sovereignty, such as Paraguay, which closed its consulate on May 11, 1997.[89] Earlier, it had considered relocating to Macau, which was then still under Portuguese administration.[90] The Central African Republic, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic also closed their consulates, while Liberia, with which China had broken off diplomatic relations in September 1997, was forced to close its consulate a month later.[91] However, it later restored diplomatic relations with Beijing in 2003.[92]
As a result of the transfer of sovereignty, North Korea, which had not been allowed to establish a trade mission in Hong Kong during British rule, was able to open a Consulate-General in February 2000.[93] Similarly, Iran was also able to re-establish its Consulate-General,[when?] giving rise to concerns that the country could gain access to arms smuggled through Hong Kong, a free port.[94] This had been closed by the British Government in 1989 following the Rushdie Affair.[95]
Bhutan, which did not have diplomatic relations with either Beijing or Taipei at the time of the transfer of sovereignty, was able to maintain an honorary consulate in Hong Kong, accredited to Macau.[96][97]
Former missions
[edit]
Angola (Consulate-General until 2018)[98][99]
Bahamas (Honorary Consulate until 2003)[100]
Benin (Honorary Consulate until 2007)[101]
Cape Verde (Consulate-General until 2000)[102]
Central African Republic (Honorary Consulate until 2006)[103]
Congo-Kinshasa (Honorary Consulate until 2009)[104]
Gabon (Honorary Consulate until 2016)[105]
Ghana (Honorary Consulate until 2013)[106]
Greece (Consulate-General until 2003, and Honorary Consulate until 2004)
Kiribati (Honorary Consulate until 2003)[107]
North Korea (Consulate-General until 2023)[108]- Portugal (Consulate-General until 2003)[109]
South Vietnam (Consulate-General until 1975)
Khmer Republic (Consulate-General until 1975).svg/23px-Flag_of_Togo_(3-2).svg.png)
Togo (Honorary Consulate until 2014)[110]
Ukraine (Honorary Consulate until 2007)[111]
Uruguay (Consulate-General until 2002) [112]
The following countries, which recognise Taiwan as the Republic of China, previously had consulates in Hong Kong before 1997.
Paraguay is currently accredited to Hong Kong and Macau through its embassy in Tokyo, Japan. [116]
The following countries, which no longer have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, previously had consulates in Hong Kong under British rule:
- Central African Republic[89]
Costa Rica[117]
Dominica[85]
El Salvador[118]
Gambia[119]
Honduras[85]
Liberia[91]
Nauru[113]
Nicaragua[115]
Countries without missions
[edit]The following countries, which have diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, do not presently have representation in Hong Kong, but have proposed establishing consulates:
The following countries, which have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, have never had consulates in Hong Kong:
Eswatini
Haiti[124].svg/15px-Flag_of_Vatican_City_(2001–2023).svg.png)
Holy See
Marshall Islands[125]
Palau[126]
Saint Kitts and Nevis[127]
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines[128]
See also
[edit]
- Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
- Consular missions in Macau
- The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
References
[edit]- ^ "Protocol Division Government Secretariat – Consular Posts and Officially Recognised Representatives". Retrieved September 25, 2024.
- ^ Chief Secretary for Administration's speech at HKTDC luncheon in Brazil, Hong Kong Government, May 22, 2000
- ^ Consulate-General of Japan
- ^ "Consulate General of the Philippines". Archived from the original on April 18, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Clifford A. Hart - Consul General to Hong Kong and Macau
- ^ Consul-General Archived February 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Australian Consulate-General, Hong Kong and Macau
- ^ German Consulate General, Hong Kong Curriculum Vitae, Nikolaus Graf Lambsdorff Archived January 9, 2014, at the Wayback Machine [1] [2] Archived August 6, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ The Consul General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, State of Israel
- ^ Cheng, Kris (August 2, 2018). "China asks consulates in Hong Kong to remove 'Macau' from their official names". Hong Kong Free Press. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
- ^ Consulado General de la Republica Argentina en Hong Kong
- ^ Australian Consulate-General Hong Kong
- ^ Österreichische Generalkonsulat Hongkong
- ^ "Consulate General of Bangladesh, Hong Kong". Archived from the original on December 29, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ "Belarusian President makes new appointments". Presidency of Belarus. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
- ^ Consulate-General of Belgium in Hong Kong and Macau
- ^ Consulado Geral do Brasil em Hong Kong
- ^ "Brunei Darussalam – Protocol Division Government Secretariat – Consular Posts and Officially Recognised Representatives". Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Royal Consulate General of Cambodia, Hong Kong, P.R China
- ^ Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao
- ^ "Consulado General de Chile en Hong Kong". Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2012.
- ^ Consulado de Colombia en Hong Kong
- ^ Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Hong Kong
- ^ Consulate General of the Arab Republic of Egypt to Hong Kong Archived April 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Consulate General of Finland in Hong Kong
- ^ Consulat Général de France à Hong Kong et Macao
- ^ German Consulate General, Hong Kong
- ^ Consulate General of Hungary in Hong Kong and Macao Archived April 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Consulate General of India in Hong Kong
- ^ Konsulat Jenderal Republik Indonesia di Hong Kong
- ^ "Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Hong Kong". Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Irish Consulate General Hong Kong
- ^ Consulate General of Israel in Hong Kong and Macau
- ^ Consolato generale d'Italia a Hong Kong
- ^ Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong
- ^ Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Hong Kong and Macau Archived June 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Hong Kong". Archived from the original on April 13, 2008. Retrieved March 25, 2008.
- ^ Consulate-General of Kuwait - Hong Kong
- ^ Consulate General of the Lao PDR
- ^ "Consulate General of Malaysia in Hong Kong". Archived from the original on September 6, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2016.
- ^ Consulate General of Mexico in Hong Kong and Macao
- ^ "Mongolia – Protocol Division Government Secretariat – Consular Posts and Officially Recognised Representatives". Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ "Consulate of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in Hong Kong and Macau SAR". Archived from the original on February 21, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Consulate General of Nepal, Hong Kong Archived April 10, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Netherlands Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR China". Archived from the original on June 21, 2012. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
- ^ New Zealand Consulate-General, Wanchai, Hong Kong
- ^ Consulate General of Nigeria Hong Kong
- ^ "Pakistan Consulate Hong Kong". Archived from the original on August 6, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
- ^ Consul de Perú en Hong Kong Archived November 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR". Archived from the original on July 10, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Konsulat Generalny Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej w Hongkongu Archived April 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Consulado Geral de Portugal em Macau e Hong Kong
- ^ "Consulate General of The State of Qatar in Hong Kong". Archived from the original on April 3, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ "CONSULATUL GENERAL AL ROMÂNIEI în R.A.S. Hong Kong şi R.A.S Macao". Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ^ "Consulate General of the Russian Federation in the Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, PRC". Archived from the original on February 4, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2007.
- ^ Royal Consulate General of Saudi Arabia
- ^ Consulate-General of the Republic of Singapore in Hong Kong
- ^ South African Consulate-General
- ^ "Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong". Archived from the original on April 14, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ "Consulate General of Sweden in Hong Kong and Macau". Archived from the original on March 25, 2016. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
- ^ Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong
- ^ "Royal Thai Consulate-General". Archived from the original on May 1, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2007.
- ^ Turkish Consulate General in Hong Kong
- ^ British Consulate General Hong Kong
- ^ "Consulate General of the United States of America Hong Kong and Macau". Archived from the original on April 18, 2006. Retrieved June 21, 2007.
- ^ "Vanuatu". Protocol Division Government Secretariat. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
- ^ "Consulado General de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela en Hong Kong". Archived from the original on February 24, 2020. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
- ^ Consulate General of Vietnam in Hong Kong SAR, China Archived March 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Diplomatic Missions Archived July 19, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Zimbabwe
- ^ "European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macao". Archived from the original on February 4, 2010. Retrieved October 19, 2007.
- ^ Hong Kong's New Constitutional Order: The Resumption of Chinese Sovereignty and the Basic Law, Yash Ghai, Hong Kong University Press, 1997, page 167
- ^ Hunting with the Tigers: Doing Business with Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam, Claudia Cragg, Pfeiffer & Company, 1993, page 417
- ^ Chief Executive holds 'useful, cordial' talks with British Prime Minister, Government of Hong Kong, October 22, 1997
- ^ The Chinese government resumed exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China
- ^ Australian Commission Office Requirements, Sydney Morning Herald, August 18, 1982
- ^ Business Directory of Hong Kong, Current Publications Company, 1988, page 797
- ^ 2 China Dissidents Granted Asylum, Fly to Vancouver, Los Angeles Times, September 17, 1992
- ^ NZer's credibility under fire in Hong Kong court, New Zealand Herald, March 27, 2006
- ^ Indians in Limbo as 1997 Hand-over Date Draws Nearer, Inter Press Service, February 12, 1996
- ^ Officials puzzled by Malaysian decision, New Straits Times, July 3, 1984
- ^ Asia, Inc: The Region's Business Magazine, Volume 4, Manager International Company, 1996
- ^ Singapore Lure Stirs Crowds In Hong Kong, Chicago Tribune, July 12, 1989
- ^ About the Consulate-General
- ^ In the swing of things Archived October 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Embassy Magazine, September 2010
- ^ Australian Foreign Affairs Record, Volume 56, Issues 7-12, Australian Government Public Service, 1985, page 1153
- ^ a b c HONG KONG: Consulates Face Deadline Dilemma Over Taiwan Links, IPS News, Oct 31 1996
- ^ Pakistan & Gulf Economist, Volume 14, Issues 1-13, S. Akhtar Ali, 1995
- ^ Taiwan loses a major ally, BBC News, December 30, 1997
- ^ Statement on Future South Africa/Hong Kong Relations by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad, June 12, 1997
- ^ a b c Summary of World Broadcasts: Asia, Pacific, Issues 2907-2919, BBC, 1997, page 5196
- ^ Summary of World Broadcasts: Asia, Pacific, Issues 2907-2919, BBC, 1996, page E-8
- ^ a b Liberian consulate forced to close, South China Morning Post, 10 Oct 1997
- ^ China, Liberia resume diplomatic ties Archived September 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People's Republic of China
- ^ North Korea's Macau-based trading venture opens its doors to deny reports of espionage and shady deals, South China Morning Post, 3 September 2000
- ^ Iran: The Failure of Economic Incentives and Disincentives, Gitty M. Amini, in The New Great Power Coalition: Toward a World Concert of Nations, Richard N. Rosecrance Rowman & Littlefield, 2001, page 149
- ^ The Rushdie File, Lisa Appignanesi, Sara Maitland Syracuse University Press, 1990, page 120
- ^ Bhutan: Cautiously Cultivated Positive Perception, Caroline Brassard in A Resurgent China: South Asian Perspectives, S. D. Muni, Tan Tai Yong, page 74
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- ^ "Consulado de Angola em Hong Kong vai fechar" (in Portuguese). Plataforma Media. October 26, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2022.
- ^ "Consulate General of the Republic of Angola in Hong Kong". Archived from the original on December 17, 2014. Retrieved July 3, 2014.
- ^ a b External Relations Consulates in Macao
- ^ Honorary Consul of Benin in the Hong Kong Special Administration of the People's Republic of China (Termination of Appointment) 29 December 2006
- ^ Closure of the Consulate General of the Republic of Cape Verde in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
- ^ Honorary Consul of the Central African Republic in the Hong Kong Special Administration of the People's Republic of China (Termination of Appointment) 24 May 2006
- ^ Honorary Consul of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Hong Kong Special Administration of the People's Republic of China (Termination of Appointment) 25 August 2009
- ^ Honorary Consul of the Gabonese Republic in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China 15 November 2013
- ^ Honorary Consul of the Republic of Ghana in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China 31 October 2013
- ^ Closure of the Consulate of the Republic of Kiribati in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
- ^ McCurry, Justin (November 10, 2023). "Kim Jong-un closes slate of North Korea's embassies as sanctions bite". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
- ^ Portugal fecha consulado em Hong Kong, Público, 30 September 2003
- ^ Honorary Consul of the Republic of Togo in the Hong Kong Special Administration of the People's Republic of China (Termination of Appointment) 13 January 2007
- ^ Honorary Consul of Ukraine in the Hong Kong Special Administration of the People's Republic of China (Termination of Appointment) 12 March 2007
- ^ "Presidencia de la República Oriental del Uruguay – Secretaría de Prensa y Difusión" (in Spanish).
- ^ a b c Hong Kong $ Directory, Local Printing Press, 1987, page 32
- ^ Hong Kong $ Directory, Local Printing Press, 1987, page 948
- ^ a b Business Directory of Hong Kong, Current Publications Company, 1991, page 903
- ^ "領事部". 在日パラグアイ共和国大使館. Archived from the original on August 8, 2021. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
- ^ Hong Kong Business: The Portable Encyclopedia for Doing Business with Hong Kong, Christine Genzberger, World Trade Press, 1994, page 265
- ^ Business Directory of Hong Kong, Current Publications Company, 1991, page 902
- ^ Business Directory of Hong Kong, Current Publications Company, 1991, page 798
- ^ The meetings of the Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong Archived November 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Armenia
- ^ Ambassador Meets Mr. Kin-Chung Lam, Nominated Honorary Consul of Timor-Leste to Hong Kong and Macau Archived November 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Embassy of Timor Leste, May 10, 2013
- ^ Foreign Embassies > the Republic of Kiribati Archived November 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China)
- ^ "Embassy of Solomon Islands, Taipei, Republic of China (Taiwan)". Archived from the original on January 13, 2017. Retrieved March 26, 2016.
- ^ Foreign Embassies > the Republic of Haiti Archived November 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China)
- ^ Foreign Embassies > the Republic of the Marshall Islands Archived April 8, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China)
- ^ Foreign Embassies > the Republic of Palau Archived November 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China)
- ^ Foreign Embassies > The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis Archived November 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Republic of China)
- ^ St. Vincent considering options for embassy in Taiwan, iWitness News, June 8, 2015
External links
[edit]- 125 diplomatic missions in Hong Kong [3] Archived April 16, 2020, at the Wayback Machine
- (in English and Chinese) Protocol Division Government Secretariat of the Government of the Hong Kong SAR
