Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office London (Chinese: 香港駐倫敦經濟貿易辦事處) is Hong Kong's representation in the United Kingdom.[1] Apart from the United Kingdom, the Office is responsible for fostering trade and economic relations with countries including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Russia and Sweden. The Office promotes bilateral trade with and investment in Hong Kong, updates the business communities and multiplier organisations on important developments in Hong Kong, organises official visits, seminars and liaison activities in the countries concerned, facilitates investors from the above countries who wish to seek business opportunities in Hong Kong and in Mainland China through Hong Kong as the hub of operation.

Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office London
香港駐倫敦經濟貿易辦事處
Agency overview
Jurisdiction United Kingdom
 Denmark
 Estonia
 Finland
 Latvia
 Lithuania
 Norway
 Russia
 Sweden
Headquarters18 Bedford Square,
London WC1B 3JA,
United Kingdom
Agency executive
  • Winky So,
    Director-General
Parent agencyCommerce and Economic Development Bureau
WebsiteOfficial website
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London
Traditional Chinese香港駐倫敦經濟貿易辦事處
Simplified Chinese香港驻伦敦经济贸易办事处

The office is located at 18 Bedford Square in the City of Westminster in central London;[2][3] the building also houses the London office of the London Representative Office of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Hong Kong Tourism Board. It was previously located at 6 Grafton Street.

Former office at 6 Grafton Street

The current Director-General of the office is Winky So,[4] who reports to the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic & Trade Affairs to the European Union, Brussels ETO.[5]

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996 [6] confers a number of immunities and privileges on HKETO London either in line with or similar to provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations afforded or accorded to consulates-general and consulates of high commissions and embassies, consulates-general and consulates, codified in the United Kingdom as the Consular Relations Act 1968.

When Hong Kong was under British administration, the office was known as the Hong Kong Government Office and was headed by a Commissioner.[7][8]

Apart from the UK, HKETO London is also responsible for maintaining ties with Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Russia and Sweden.[9]

Other European countries fall within the purview of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Brussels and Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, Berlin.

Directors-General
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Past Directors-General include:

  1. John Tsang Chun-wah (1997–1999)[10][11]
  2. Sandra Birch Lee Suk-yee (1999–2000)
  3. Andrew Leung Kin-pong (2000–2004)
  4. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor (2004–2006)[12]
  5. Sarah Wu Po-chu (2006–2010) [13]
  6. Agnes Allcock (2010–2013)[14]
  7. Erica Ng Lai-man (2013–2015)[15]
  8. Priscilla To Kit-lai (2015–2019)[16]
  9. Winky So Yuen-ling (2019–)

See also

References
  1. "The London Diplomatic List" (PDF). 14 December 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 December 2013.
  2. "Contact Us." Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London. Retrieved 21 January 2009.
  3. "Libraries Archived 8 May 2009 at the Wayback Machine." City of Westminster. Retrieved 21 January 2009.
  4. "Organisation of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London".
  5. Item for Establishment Subcommittee of Finance Committee, Legislative Council, 3 May 2006
  6. Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Act 1996
  7. Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Bill, Hansard, 25 November 1996
  8. LETTER: Hong Kong's road to democracy, The Independent, 23 August 1995
  9. Our Responsibilities.
  10. "Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department – Issue 6 (1999 June)". Customs.gov.hk. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  11. "Mr John Tsang Chun-wah, GBM, JP, Financial Secretary". GovHK. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. September 2012. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  12. "Mrs Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, GBS, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration". GovHK. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government. May 2014. Retrieved 3 October 2014.
  13. Bun Tower adds Hong Kong excitement to London, 12 November 2006
  14. New Director-General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, assumes office, 22 September 2010
  15. New Director-General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, assumes office, 15 February 2013
  16. New Director-General of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London, assumes office, 20 October 2015

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