Publications and Press Releases

13 July 2016

A photo exhibition on consular protection involving Hong Kong co-organised by the Immigration Department (ImmD) and the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (OCMFA) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is being held at the ground floor lobby of the Immigration Tower from today (July 13) until July 30. The exhibition is open from 8.45am to 4.30pm from Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 11.30am on Saturday. Members of the public can see it free of charge.
       
The exhibition focuses on the consular protection provided by China and the work of the ImmD’s Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU). It aims to enhance public understanding of consular protection involving Hong Kong and the work of the AHU so as to promote safety awareness among members of the public when travelling abroad.
       
The opening ceremony of the exhibition was officiated by the Director of Immigration, Mr Erick Tsang, and Deputy Commissioner of the OCMFA, Mr Song Ruan. Mr Song said that as the Chinese economy keeps growing and the country keeps opening up, Chinese citizens are moving fast to “go global”. Meanwhile, amid the volatile situations in some parts of the world, conventional and unconventional security threats pose great challenges in the field of consular protection, making it an even tougher mission. For 19 years since Hong Kong’s return to China, embracing the notion that “the safety of Hong Kong people is no small matter; the interests of compatriots are extremely important”, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has worked very diligently in the area of consular protection involving Hong Kong so that Hong Kong people can benefit from the achievements of the country in the field of foreign affairs, said Mr Song. In addition, the MFA, the OCMFA and the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions will continue to closely co-operate with the ImmD to protect the safety and legitimate interests of Hong Kong people travelling abroad.
       
Mr Tsang said that the HKSAR Government attaches great importance to the safety of local residents travelling outside Hong Kong. He said he hoped that through the exhibition, the public could learn more about safety issues connected with outbound travel and get travel tips for their journeys abroad, including how to seek assistance. The ImmD’s AHU operates the 24-hour hotline 1868 and works closely with the MFA, the OCMFA and the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions in foreign countries to offer practical assistance to Hong Kong residents while abroad. Mr Tsang also expressed his gratitude to the MFA, the OCMFA and the Chinese diplomatic and consular missions for their efforts and support over the years in protecting the safety of Hong Kong residents travelling in other countries.