AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINAAND THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OF THECONSULATE-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVEREGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINAAND THE GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA CONCERNING THE MAINTENANCE OF THECONSULATE-GENERAL OF AUSTRALIA IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVEREGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
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The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of
Australia (hereinafter referred to as "the two Parties"), out of a common
desire to develop further the friendly relations between the two
countries, in accordance with Section XI of Annex I of the Joint
Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the
Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on
the Question of Hong Kong and Article 157 of the Basic Law of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China,
which stipulates that "Consular and other official missions established in
Hong Kong by states which have formal diplomatic relations with the
People's Republic of China may be maintained", and taking into account the
status quo of the friendly consular relations between China and Australia,
have reached the following Agreement concerning the maintenance of the
Consulate-General of Australia in the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of the People's Republic of China following the resumption of the
exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong by the Government of the People's
Republic of China on 1 July 1997:
1. The Government of the People's Republic of China agrees to the
maintenance by the Government of Australia of its Consulate-General in the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
2. The Government of the People's Republic of China shall, in
accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations of 24 April
1963 and relevant laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China,
accord necessary assistance and facilities to the Consulate-General of
Australia in the exercise of consular functions.
3. The operations of the Australian Consulate-General in the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region shall be regulated by the Vienna Convention
on Consular Relations of 24 April 1963. Consular matters shall be handled
on the basis of equality and mutual benefit and in a friendly and
cooperative spirit.
4. The present Agreement shall enter into force on 1 July 1997. The
two Parties shall complete their respective domestic legal and
constitutional processes that are necessary to give effect to this
Agreement before this date and notify the other Party accordingly.
In witness whereof the undersigned, being duly authorized by their
respective Governments, have signed this Agreement.
Done in New York on 26 September 1996 in duplicate in the Chinese and
English languages, both texts being equally authentic.
For the Government of the For the Government of
People's Republic of China Australia
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