The requirement for foreign consulates in the Hong Kong SAR to declare information on local employees is in line with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and international practice, said a spokesperson of the for the Commissioner's Office of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR today (Sept. 20).
In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, the spokesperson said it is understood that Chinese consular offices in foreign countries also provide information on local employees to the receiving countries in accordance with the requirements of the local governments. The Chinese side has been managing the affairs of foreign consular offices in Hong Kong in accordance with the law from a practical point of view, and requests the support and cooperation of the consular offices in Hong Kong, the spokesperson added.
According to reports, Beijing will require consulates in HK to hand over the personal data of all locally employed staff by next month, a move that will bring the city in line with how the central government treats diplomatic offices.
Comment