Follow the Constitution and the Basic Law:
Hong Kong’s Unique Advantage in Handling External Relations
- The Basic Law sets out clearly the country’s basic policies regarding Hong Kong, and enshrines the important concepts of “one country, two systems”, “Hong Kong people administering Hong Kong” and a high degree of autonomy. It also prescribes the various systems to be practised in the HKSAR.
- The Basic Law provisions on external affairs provide that “the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may on its own, using the name ‘Hong Kong, China’, maintain and develop relations and conclude and implement agreements with foreign states and regions and relevant international organisations in the appropriate fields, including the economic, trade, financial and monetary, shipping, communications, tourism, cultural and sports fields.” This is the unique advantage that the Central Government conferred on Hong Kong in handling external relations under the principle of “one country, two systems”.
- As a separate customs territory, HKSAR has already joined two major international and regional economic and trade organisations, namely the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Besides, as at May 2023, HKSAR has already signed eight Free Trade Agreements and 22 Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with a number of economies.
- If we can utilise the unique strengths conferred by the Basic Law, leverage the motherland’s support and connect with the world, a splendid achievement will surely be attained.
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