Over the past half-century, Hong Kong has evolved a distinct international personality as an economic and cultural entity. Under the Basic Law, this has continued.

Hong Kong plays an active part in many international bodies, and has its own separate membership in important organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

It maintains its own postal authority, customs authority and shipping register, and negotiates bilateral aviation agreements with other countries. Hong Kong people travel on a passport distinct from that held by people from other parts of the People’s Republic of China.

The HKSAR Government is represented overseas by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETO). In Canada, the HKETO is accredited with ‘senior offcial’ status.