Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, formerly at 6 Grafton Street
Traditional Chinese	香港經濟貿易辦事處
Simplified Chinese	香港经济贸易办事处
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Xiānggǎng Jǐngjì Wénhùa Bànshìchù Wade–Giles Hsiang-kang Chingchi Wenhua Panshihch'u Tongyong Pinyin Siānggǎng Jǐngjì Wúnhùa Bànshìhchù Yale Romanization Syānggǎng Jǐngjì Wénhwà Bànshr̀chù Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization heūng góng gīng jái màhn faa baahn sih chyú Jyutping hoeng1 gong2 ging1 zai2 man4 faa3 baan6 si6 cyu2

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) (Chinese: 香港經濟貿易辦事處) are the trade offices of Hong Kong outside the territory. There are 11 HKETOs outside the Greater China Region, and eight in the Greater China Region (one in Taiwan, four offices and three liaison units in Mainland China).

In addition to HKETOs, the Hong Kong Government has an office in Beijing, the capital of China called the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing.

Hong Kong has full autonomy in the conduct of its external commercial relations. The Basic Law of the Hong Kong provides that it shall be a separate customs territory and may, using the name 'Hong Kong, China', participate in relevant international organisations and international trade agreements, such as the World Trade Organization.

The HKETOs concentrate most of their work on promoting Hong Kong's economic and trade interests. The major function of HKETOs include:

HKETO London serves concurrently as Hong Kong's permanent mission to the International Maritime Organisation, HKETO Brussels to the European Union, and HKETO Geneva to the World Trade Organisation.

In countries or territories where no HKETO is present, diplomatic missions of China have the duty to represent Hong Kong's interests. Visa applications at these missions are, nevertheless, sent to and processed by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong.

Overseas HKETOs were placed under the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the Hong Kong Government. Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing and other parts of Mainland China placed under the Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau. The head of the HKETOs are usually called Director.