Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office |
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18 Bedford Square, London
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| Traditional Chinese | 香港經濟貿易辦事處 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 香港经济贸易办事处 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Jyutping | hoeng1 gong2 ging1 zai3 mau6 yik6 baan6 si6 cyu3 | ||||||||||||||||||
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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) are like special offices that Hong Kong has in other countries. Their main job is to help Hong Kong connect with the rest of the world. They promote business, trade, and cultural ties.
There are 14 HKETOs located outside of Hong Kong and mainland China. There are also seven offices and liaison units within mainland China. The Hong Kong Government also has an office in Beijing, China's capital, called the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing.
Contents
How HKETOs Started
Before 1997, when Hong Kong became part of China, these offices were called "Hong Kong Government Offices." They looked after Hong Kong's business interests in big trade markets. Things like passports and visas were handled by British embassies.
By 1982, offices in London, Brussels, Washington, and Geneva were already set up. HKETO Brussels is one of the oldest, celebrating its 50th birthday in 2015.
When Hong Kong was about to join China, the British and Chinese governments agreed to change the name. They became "Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices." This made it clear that they were not like embassies. They focused on trade and economy, not on diplomatic matters.
Some countries gave these offices special rights. For example, in the United Kingdom, a law was passed in 1996. This law gave the HKETO in London certain tax benefits and personal protections. Similar agreements were made with other countries where HKETOs are located. These special rights help the offices do their work without problems.
HKETOs also work to share Hong Kong's views with other governments. For instance, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has worked with the HKETO in Washington D.C. to talk with US politicians about laws that might affect Hong Kong.
What HKETOs Do
Hong Kong can make its own decisions about trade with other countries. This is because of its special law, the Basic Law. It says Hong Kong is a separate customs territory. This means it has its own trade rules. Hong Kong can also join international groups like the World Trade Organization (WTO) using the name 'Hong Kong, China'.
The main goals of HKETOs are to boost Hong Kong's economy and trade. Here are some of their key jobs:
- Helping people in other countries understand Hong Kong better.
- Keeping an eye on things that might affect Hong Kong's trade.
- Working closely with businesses, politicians, and the news.
- Organizing events to show a good image of Hong Kong.
- Meeting regularly with important people in their areas.
- Arranging visits for senior Hong Kong officials to other countries.
Some HKETOs have extra roles. For example, HKETO London also represents Hong Kong at the International Maritime Organization. HKETO Brussels works with the European Union. HKETO Geneva represents Hong Kong at the World Trade Organization.
If there isn't an HKETO in a country, China's embassies or missions help. They look after Hong Kong's interests there. However, if you apply for a visa, the application is sent to Hong Kong's Immigration Department for processing.
How HKETOs Are Organized
Overseas HKETOs are managed by the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau in Hong Kong. The offices in Beijing and other parts of mainland China are managed by the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The person in charge of an HKETO is usually called a Director.
Some HKETOs have special status. For example, HKETO Berlin in Germany has a special "quasi-diplomatic" status. This means it has some of the same rights as an embassy, even though it's not one. This helps them do their job more easily.
Where HKETOs Are Located
██ Berlin office and covered countries
██ Brussels office and covered countries
██ Jakarta office and covered countries
██ London office and covered countries
██ Singapore office and covered countries
██ Sydney office and covered countries
| Country / Region | Location/Official website | Address | Jurisdiction |
|---|---|---|---|
 Australia |
Sydney | Australia,  New Zealand |
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 Belgium ( European Union) |
Brussels | Belgium,  Bulgaria,  Croatia,  Cyprus,  France,  Greece,  Ireland,  Italy,  Luxembourg,  Malta,  Netherlands,  Portugal,  Romania,  Spain |
|
 United Kingdom |
London | 18 Bedford Square, WC1B 3JA |  Denmark,  Estonia,  Finland,  Latvia,  Lithuania,  Norway,  Russia,  Sweden, United Kingdom |
| Spain |
Barcelona | [Carrer de Tuset, 5,6th Floor – 08006 Barcelona, Spain] | |
| Russia |
Moscow | [Aviareps AG 7th Floor, Business Centre “Diamond Hall”14 Olympiysky prospect Moscow, 129090 Russia] | |
| France |
Paris | [32 rue de Caumartin - 5eme etage 75009 Paris, France] | |
 Czech Republic |
Prague | [Na Kocínce 3 16000 Prague 6, Czech Republic] | |
| Italy |
Milan | [Via Orefici, 2, 20123 Milan, Italy] | |
 Hungary |
Budapest | ||
| Sweden |
Stockholm | [Upplandsgatan 14,111 23 Stockholm, Sweden] | |
 Poland |
Warsaw | [Al. Solidarnosci 113 lok. 2800-140 Warsaw, Poland] | |
 Brazil |
Sao paulo | [Rua Cel. Xavier de Toledo,316 - Cj 10A - lo.andarCEP 01048-000 Sao Paulo-SPBrazil] | |
 Chile |
Santiago | [Fidel Oteiza 1916 Of 701Providencia, Santiago, Chile] | |
 Germany |
Berlin |  Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland,  Slovakia,  Slovenia,  Switzerland |
|
 Malaysia |
Kuala Lumpur | [AVIAREPS Malaysia Suite 2701, Level 27 Wisma Chuang,34, Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250,Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia] | |
 Japan |
Tokyo | Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Tokyo) 30-1 Sanban-Cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 102-0075 | Japan,  South Korea |
| South Korea |
Seoul | Suite 1105, President Hotel 16 Eulchiro Jung-gu, Seoul, South Korea | |
 Philippines |
Makati | [Supersonic Services Inc Ground Floor, Colonnade Residences Condominium 132 C. Palanca Jr St.Legaspi Village, Makati, 1220 Philippines] | |
 Singapore |
Singapore |  India,  Laos, Singapore
, |
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 Indonesia () |
Jakarta |  Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines |
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 Thailand |
Bangkok |  Bangladesh,  Cambodia,  Myanmar, Thailand |
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| Switzerland |
Geneva | World Trade Organization | |
 United States |
New York |  Alabama,  Mississippi,  Arkansas,  Missouri,  Connecticut,  New Hampshire,  Delaware,  New Jersey,  Florida,  New York,  Georgia (U.S. state),  North Carolina ,  Illinois,  Ohio,  Indiana,  Pennsylvania,  Iowa,  Rhode Island,  Kentucky,  South Carolina,  Louisiana,  Tennessee,  Maine,  Vermont,  Maryland,  Virginia,  Massachusetts,  West Virginia,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota |
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| San Francisco |  Alaska,  New Mexico,  Arizona,  North Dakota,  California,  Oklahoma,  Colorado,  Hawaii,  South Dakota,  Idaho,  Oregon,  Kansas,  Texas,  Montana,  Utah,  Nebraska,  Washington,  Nevada,  Wyoming |
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| United States
Washington |
United States |
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 Canada |
Toronto |  New Brunswick,  Newfoundland and Labrador,  Nova Scotia,  Ontario,  Prince Edward Island,  Quebec |
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| Vancouver |  Alberta,  British Columbia,  Manitoba,  Saskatchewan |
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| India |
New Delhi | [Mileage Communications (India) Pvt. Ltd. 261 (First Floor) Lane 5 Westend Marg, Said-Ul-Ajaib New Delhi 110030 INDIA] | |
 United Arab Emirates |
Dubai | [Gulf Reps Ltd PO Box 75142 Mezzanine Floor,The Travel Center,Shk. Zayed Road, Dubai UAE] | |
 Vietnam |
Ho Chi Minh City | [Suite 701–702, Saigon Tower Office Building29 Le Duan Street, Dist. 1Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam] | |
 Mainland China |
Beijing | Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu, Ningxia | |
| Shenyang | |||
| Guangzhou | Fujian (excluding ROC-controlled Kinmen and Matsu), Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Yunnan | ||
| Fuzhou | |||
| Shenzhen | |||
| Shanghai | Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Shandong | ||
| Jinan | |||
| Chengdu | Sichuan, Chongqing, Guizhou, Shaanxi, Qinghai, Tibet | ||
| Chongqing | |||
| Wuhan | Hubei, Hunan, Shanxi, Jiangxi, Henan | ||
| Changsha | |||
| Zhengzhou | |||
 Kenya |
Nairobi | 3rd Floor, Sanlam House, Kenyatta Avenue, Nairobi, Kenya | |
 South Africa |
Johannesburg | Wanderers Office Park,52 Corlett Drive Illovo 2196 Johannesburg South Africa |
The HKETOs outside mainland China often cover several countries. For example, the London office helps Hong Kong connect with countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Russia. Similarly, offices within mainland China cover several provinces.
Images for kids
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The building where the Economic and Trade Office in London was formerly located.
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HK Economic and Trade Office in San Francisco, USA.
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HKETO in Singapore, on the 34th floor of the office building at Suntec City Tower 2.
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Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in the Dupont Circle neighbourhood of Washington, D.C.
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HKETO in Toronto, Canada.
