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Honorary consuls inquiries about their rights are not resolutely disrespectful

2021-10-20T07:52:22.774Z


Because some countries did not send their national officials to Hong Kong, they changed to appoint local residents as honorary consuls. Legislative Council Member Xie Weijun said that some honorary consuls reported that they did not understand their rights, and they did not have any inquiries to the Protocol Office.


Because some countries did not send their national officials to Hong Kong, they changed to appoint local residents as honorary consuls.

Legislative Council Member Xie Weijun said that some honorary consuls reported that they did not understand their rights, and they had no clear answer to their enquiries from the Protocol Office, which made them feel disrespectful.


The Chief Secretary for Administration, Li Jiachao, denied the relevant claims in a written reply to the Legislative Council today (20th), and clearly stated the rights enjoyed by honorary consuls, including the exemption from the jurisdiction of judicial or administrative agencies when performing consular duties, and the exemption of remuneration from sending countries, etc. .

However, honorary consuls are different from professional consuls in that they cannot enjoy certain rights, such as not being imprisoned, not being arrested pending trial or detained pending trial, and being exempt from personal taxes.


Chief Secretary for Administration Li Jiachao pointed out that there are currently 58 honorary consuls in Hong Kong.

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Xie Weijun said that an honorary consul had no clear answer when enquiring about the rights of the protocol office

Legislative Council Member Xie Weijun revealed in a written question that some honorary consuls reported that they did not understand their rights, but they asked the Concierge Department without a clear answer, making them feel at a loss and disrespect.

He also pointed out that the honorary consuls of various countries in Macau have been provided with official documents stating their rights, and cited outside opinions that China is committed to fighting for the diplomatic level in response to the formation of the "Five Eyes Alliance" and the "Australia-British-American Alliance" by the United States. As more countries support, the Hong Kong government should review and improve the policy of honorary consuls in performing their duties.

Li Jiachao said that the Director of Protocol has the privileges and immunities of meeting with honorary consuls

Li Jiachao denied that he did not respect honorary consuls, saying that after honorary consuls took office, the Director of Protocol would meet with them, and detailed the conveniences, privileges and immunities they enjoyed, and distributed relevant information documents.

The Concierge has also received individual enquiries in the past and gave detailed responses each time.

He also pointed out that there are currently 58 honorary consuls in Hong Kong. According to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (Vyogo), honorary consul facilities, privileges and immunities are granted, including the following:

1. It is not under the jurisdiction of judicial or administrative agencies when performing consular duties;



2. In judicial and administrative procedures, he has no obligation to testify or provide relevant documents, and has the right to refuse to be an expert witness. Testimony under the laws of the sending country;



3. If arrested in Hong Kong pending trial or detention pending trial, or criminal prosecution, the SAR government will notify the head of the consulate as soon as possible, or notify the sending country through diplomatic channels;



4. If criminal proceedings are filed against an honorary consul , Will give due respect and will not hinder the performance of consular duties;



5. The remuneration given by the sending country is exempt from tax.


Honorary consuls have not been granted the privilege of not being imprisoned

However, according to the "Victory", honorary consuls do not enjoy some conveniences, privileges and immunities compared to professional consuls, including: 1) personal freedom or dignity is not violated; 2) they will not be arrested awaiting trial or detained awaiting trial, if convicted Except for serious crimes; 3) Will not be imprisoned, except for the execution of a definite judicial decision; 4) If you refuse to testify in judicial and administrative procedures, you will not be compulsory or punished; 5) Work visa exemption; 6) Exemption of personal taxes, including rates, first registration tax on motor vehicles, gasoline tax, tobacco and alcohol tax, etc.; and exemption from customs duties and customs inspections, etc.

Xie Weijun cited outside opinions that when the Mainland seeks more national support to fight against the siege, the Hong Kong government should review and improve the policy of honorary consuls in performing their duties.

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Invite consuls to attend important events from time to time

Li Jiachao continued that the government has been committed to providing services to consuls and maintaining communication.

The Constitutional Affairs Bureau also pointed out that honorary consuls play an important role as a bridge in the SAR, so they attach importance to their relationship and invite them to attend important events from time to time, such as the annual flag raising ceremony and reception, policy address briefings, budget briefings, COVID-19 briefings, visits, etc.

According to Article 13 of the Basic Law, the Central People's Government is responsible for managing foreign affairs related to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and authorizing the Special Administrative Region to handle relevant external affairs on its own in accordance with the Basic Law.

The SAR government will continue to fully cooperate with the country's foreign policy.

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Source: hk1

All news articles on 2021-10-20

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