Cap. A403

Promulgation of National Laws (No. 2) 1997 Editorial Notes: 1. This instrument was not given a chapter number under the Legislation Publication Ordinance (Cap. 614). An unofficial reference number, however, is assigned to this instrument in Hong Kong e-Legislation (http://www.elegislation.gov.hk) for identification purposes. This also enables users to carry out a search by reference to the unofficial reference number. 2. Editorial notes are signified by symbols such as “#” in the Instrument. Contents of an editorial note is located at the end of Schedule 1. WHEREAS Article 18 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides that the national laws listed in Annex III thereto shall be applied locally by way of promulgation or legislation by the Region and that the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress may add to or delete from the list of laws in Annex III after consulting its Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the government of the Region. AND WHEREAS at its Twenty Sixth meeting on 1 July, 1997, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, after consultation with the Committee for the Basic Law and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, resolved to add the following national laws to the list of laws in Annex III to the Basic Law— 1. Law of the People’s Republic of China on the National Flag; 2. Law of the People’s Republic of China on the National Emblem; 3. Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone; 4. Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Garrisoning of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and 5. Regulations of the People’s Republic of China concerning Consular Privileges and Immunities. NOW THEREFORE I, TUNG Chee-hwa, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region give notice that the national laws as set out in the Schedules shall apply, on and from 1 July 1997, in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Schedule 1 《中華人民共和國領海及毗連區法》 (1992年2月25日第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第二十四次會議通過 1992年2月25日中華人民共和國主席令第五十五號公布 1992年2月25日起施行) 第一條 為行使中華人民共和國對領海的主權和對毗連區的管制權，維護國家安全和海洋權益，制定本法。 第二條 中華人民共和國領海為鄰接中華人民共和國陸地領土和內水的一帶海域。 中華人民共和國的陸地領土包括中華人民共和國大陸及其沿海島嶼、台灣及其包括釣魚島在內的附屬各島、澎湖列島、東沙群島、西沙群島、中沙群島、南沙群島以及其他一切屬於中華人民共和國的島嶼。 中華人民共和國領海基綫向陸地一側的水域為中華人民共和國的內水。 第三條 中華人民共和國領海的寬度從領海基綫量起為十二海里。 中華人民共和國領海基綫採用直綫基綫法劃定，由各相鄰基點之間的直綫連綫組成。 中華人民共和國領海的外部界限為一條其每一點與領海基綫的最近點距離等於十二海里的綫。 第四條 中華人民共和國毗連區為領海以外鄰接領海的一帶海域。毗連區的寬度為十二海里。 中華人民共和國毗連區的外部界限為一條其每一點與領海基綫的最近點距離等於二十四海里的綫。 第五條 中華人民共和國對領海的主權及於領海上空、領海的海床及底土。 第六條 外國非軍用船舶，享有依法無害通過中華人民共和國領海的權利。 外國軍用船舶進入中華人民共和國領海，須經中華人民共和國政府批准。 第七條 外國潛水艇和其他潛水器通過中華人民共和國領海，必須在海面航行，並展示其旗幟。 第八條 外國船舶通過中華人民共和國領海，必須遵守中華人民共和國法律、法規，不得損害中華人民共和國的和平、安全和良好秩序。 外國核動力船舶和載運核物質、有毒物質或者其他危險物質的船舶通過中華人民共和國領海，必須持有有關證書，並採取特別預防措施。 中華人民共和國政府有權採取一切必要措施，以防止和制止對領海的非無害通過。 外國船舶違反中華人民共和國法律、法規的，由中華人民共和國有關機關依法處理。 第九條 為維護航行安全和其他特殊需要，中華人民共和國政府可以要求通過中華人民共和國領海的外國船舶使用指定的航道或者依照規定的分道通航制航行，具體辦法由中華人民共和國政府或者其有關主管部門公布。 第十條 外國軍用船舶或者用於非商業目的的外國政府船舶在通過中華人民共和國領海時，違反中華人民共和國法律、法規的，中華人民共和國有關主管機關有權令其立即離開領海，對所造成的損失或者損害，船旗國應當負國際責任。 第十一條 任何國際組織、外國的組織或個人，在中華人民共和國領海內進行科學研究、海洋作業等活動，須經中華人民共和國政府或者其有關主管部門批准，遵守中華人民共和國法律、法規。 違反前款規定，非法進入中華人民共和國領海進行科學研究、海洋作業等活動的，由中華人民共和國有關機關依法處理。 第十二條 外國航空器只有根據該國政府與中華人民共和國政府簽訂的協定、協議，或者經中華人民共和國政府或者其授權的機關批准或者接受，方可進入中華人民共和國領海上空。 第十三條 中華人民共和國有權在毗連區內，為防止和懲處在其陸地領土、內水或者領海內違反有關安全、海關、財政、衞生或者入境出境管理的法律、法規的行為行使管制權。 第十四條 中華人民共和國有關主管機關有充分理由認為外國船舶違反中華人民共和國法律、法規時，可以對該外國船舶行使緊追權。 追逐須在外國船舶或者其小艇之一或者以被追逐的船舶為母船進行活動的其他船艇在中華人民共和國的內水、領海或者毗連區內時開始。 如果外國船舶是在中華人民共和國毗連區內，追逐只有在本法第十三條所列有關法律、法規規定的權利受到侵犯時方可進行。 追逐只要沒有中斷，可以在中華人民共和國領海或者毗連區外繼續進行。在被追逐的船舶進人其本國領海或者第三國領海時，追逐終止。 本條規定的緊追權由中華人民共和國軍用船舶、軍用航空器或者中華人民共和國政府授權的執行政府公務的船舶、航空器行使。 第十五條 中華人民共和國領海基綫由中華人民共和國政府公布。 第十六條 中華人民共和國政府依據本法制定有關規定。 第十七條 本法自公布之日起施行。 附註：中華人民共和國政府已根據本法第十五條公布了中華人民共和國的領海基綫，請參閱國務院在1996年5月15公布的《中華人民共和國政府關於中華人民共和國領海基綫的聲明》#。 (English Translation) LAW OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE TERRITORIAL SEA AND THE CONTIGUOUS ZONE (Adopted at the 24th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People’s Congress on February 25, 1992, promulgated by Order No. 55 of the President of the People’s Republic of China on February 25, 1992, and effective as of the same date) Article 1 This Law is enacted for the People’s Republic of China to exercise its sovereignty over its territorial sea and the control over its contiguous zone, and to safeguard its national security and its maritime rights and interests. Article 2 The territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China is the sea belt adjacent to the land territory and the internal waters of the People’s Republic of China. The land territory of the People’s Republic of China includes the mainland of the People’s Republic of China and its coastal islands; Taiwan and all islands appertaining thereto including the Diaoyu Islands; the Penghu Islands; the Dongsha Islands; the Xisha Islands; the Zhongsha Islands and the Nansha Islands; as well as all the other islands belonging to the People’s Republic of China. The waters on the landward side of the baselines of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China constitute the internal waters of the People’s Republic of China. Article 3 The breadth of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China is twelve nautical miles, measured from the baselines of the territorial sea. The method of straight baselines composed of all the straight lines joining the adjacent base points shall be employed drawing the baselines of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China. The outer limit of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China is the line every point of which is at a distance equal to twelve nautical miles from the nearest point of the baseline of the territorial sea. Article 4 The contiguous zone of the People’s Republic of China is the sea belt adjacent to and beyond the territorial sea. The breadth of the contiguous zone is twelve nautical miles. The outer limit of the contiguous zone of the People’s Republic of China is the line every point of which is at a distance equal to twenty-four nautical miles from the nearest point of the baseline of the territorial sea. Article 5 The sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China over its territorial sea extends to the air space over the territorial sea as well as to the bed and subsoil of the territorial sea. Article 6 Foreign ships for non-military purposes shall enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China in accordance with the law. Foreign ships for military purposes shall be subject to approval by the Government of the People’s Republic of China for entering the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China. Article 7 Foreign submarines and other underwater vehicles, when passing through the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China, shall navigate on the surface and show their flag. Article 8 Foreign ships passing through the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China must comply with the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China and shall not be prejudicial to the peace, security and good order of the People’s Republic of China. Foreign nuclear-powered ships and ships carrying nuclear, noxious or other dangerous substances, when passing through the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China, must carry relevant documents and take special precautionary measures. The Government of the People’s Republic of China has the right to take all necessary measures to prevent and stop non-innocent passage through its territorial sea. Cases of foreign ships violating the laws or regulations of the People’s Republic of China shall be handled by the relevant organs of the People’s Republic of China in accordance with the law. Article 9 The Government of the People’s Republic of China may, for maintaining the safety of navigation or for other special needs, request foreign ships passing through the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China to use the designated sea lanes or to navigate according to the prescribed traffic separation schemes. The specific regulations to this effect shall be promulgated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China or its competent authorities concerned. Article 10 In the case of violation of the laws or regulations of the People’s Republic of China by a foreign ship for military purposes or a foreign government ship for non-commercial purposes when passing through the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China, the competent authorities of the People’s Republic of China shall have the right to order it to leave the territorial sea immediately and the flag State shall bear international responsibility for any loss or damage thus caused. Article 11 All international organizations, foreign organizations or individuals shall obtain approval from the Government of the People’s Republic of China for carrying out scientific research, marine operations or other activities in the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China, and shall comply with the laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China. All illegal entries into the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China for carrying out scientific research, marine operations or other activities in contravention of the provisions of the preceding paragraph of this Article, shall be dealt with by the relevant organs of the People’s Republic of China in accordance with the law. Article 12 No aircraft of a foreign State may enter the air space over the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China unless there is a relevant protocol or agreement between the Government of that State and the Government of the People’s Republic of China, or approval or acceptance by the Government of the People’s Republic of China or the competent authorities authorized by it. Article 13 The People’s Republic of China has the right to exercise control in the contiguous zone to prevent and impose penalties for activities infringing the laws or regulations concerning security, the customs, finance, sanitation or entry and exit control within its land territory, internal waters or territorial sea. Article l4 The competent authorities concerned of the People’s Republic of China may, when they have good reasons to believe that a foreign ship has violated the laws or regulations of the People’s Republic of China, exercise the right of hot pursuit against the foreign ship. Such pursuit shall be commenced when the foreign ship or one of its boats or other craft engaged in activities by using the ship pursued as a mother ship is within the internal waters, the territorial sea or the contiguous zone of the People’s Republic of China. If the foreign ship is within the contiguous zone of the People’s Republic of China, the pursuit may be undertaken only when there has been a violation of the rights as provided for in the relevant laws or regulations listed in Article 13 of this Law. The pursuit, if not interrupted, may be continued outside the territorial sea or the contiguous zone until the ship pursued enters the territorial sea of its own country or of a third State. The right of hot pursuit provided for in this Article shall be exercised by ships or aircraft of the People’s Republic of China for military purposes, or by ships or aircraft on government service authorized by the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Article l5 The baselines of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China shall be promulgated by the Government of the People’s Republic of China. Article l6 The Government of the People’s Republic of China formulates the relevant regulations in accordance with this Law. Article l7 This Law shall come into force on the date of promulgation. Remarks: The Government of the People’s Republic of China has, pursuant to Article 15 of this Law, promulgated the baselines of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China. Please refer to the “Declaration of the Government of People’s Republic of China on the baselines of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China” # promulgated by the State Council on l5 May 1996. Editorial Note: #See Instrument A205 in Hong Kong e-Legislation. Schedule 2 《中華人民共和國香港特別行政區駐軍法》 (1996年12月30日第八屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第二十三次會議通過1996年12月30日中華人民共和國主席令第八十號公布1997年7月1日起施行) 目錄 第一章 總則 第二章 香港駐軍的職責 第三章 香港駐軍與香港特別行政區政府的關係 第四章 香港駐軍人員的義務與紀律 第五章 香港駐軍人員的司法管轄 第六章 附則 第一章 總則 第一條 為了保障中央人民政府派駐香港特別行政區負責防務的軍隊依法履行職責，維護國家的主權、統一、領土完整和香港的安全，根據憲法和香港特別行政區基本法，制定本法。 第二條 中央人民政府派駐香港特別行政區負責防務的軍隊，由中國人民解放軍陸軍、海軍、空軍部隊組成，稱中國人民解放軍駐香港部隊(以下稱香港駐軍)。 第三條 香港駐軍由中華人民共和國中央軍事委員會領導，其員額根據香港特別行政區防務的需要確定。 香港駐軍實行人員輪換制度。 第四條 香港駐軍費用由中央人民政府負擔。 第二章 香港駐軍的職責 第五條 香港駐軍履行下列防務職責： (一) 防備和抵抗侵略，保衞香港特別行政區的安全； (二) 擔負防衞勤務； (三) 管理軍事設施； (四) 承辦有關的涉外軍事事宜。 第六條 全國人民代表大會常務委員會決定宣布戰爭狀態或者因香港特別行政區內發生香港特別行政區政府不能控制的危及國家統一或者安全的動亂而決定香港特別行政區進入緊急狀態時，香港駐軍根據中央人民政府決定在香港特別行政區實施的全國性法律的規定履行職責。 第七條 香港駐軍的飛行器、艦船等武器裝備和物資以及持有香港駐軍製發的證件或者證明文件的執行職務的人員和車輛，不受香港特別行政區執法人員檢查、搜查和扣押。 香港駐軍和香港駐軍人員並享有在香港特別行政區實施的法律規定的其他權利和豁免。 第八條 香港駐軍人員對妨礙其執行職務的行為，可以依照在香港特別行政區實施的法律的規定採取措施予以制止。 第三章 香港駐軍與香港特別行政區政府的關係 第九條 香港駐軍不干預香港特別行政區的地方事務。 第十條 香港特別行政區政府應當支持香港駐軍履行防務職責，保障香港駐軍和香港駐軍人員的合法權益。 香港特別行政區制定政策和擬定法案，涉及香港駐軍的，應當徵求香港駐軍的意見。 第十一條 香港駐軍進行訓練、演習等軍事活動，涉及香港特別行政區公共利益的，應當事先通報香港特別行政區政府。 第十二條 香港駐軍和香港特別行政區政府共同保護香港特別行政區內的軍事設施。 香港駐軍會同香港特別行政區政府劃定軍事禁區。軍事禁區的位置、範圍由香港特別行政區政府宣布。 香港特別行政區政府應當協助香港駐軍維護軍事禁區的安全。 香港駐軍以外的人員、車輛、船舶和飛行器未經香港駐軍最高指揮官或者其授權的軍官批准，不得進入軍事禁區。軍事禁區的警衞人員有權依法制止擅自進入軍事禁區和破壞、危害軍事設施的行為。 香港駐軍對軍事禁區內的自然資源、文物古迹以及非軍事權益，應當依照香港特別行政區的法律予以保護。 第十三條 香港駐軍的軍事用地，經中央人民政府批准不再用於防務目的的，無償交由香港特別行政區政府處理。 香港特別行政區政府如需將香港駐軍的部分軍事用地用於公共用途，必須經中央人民政府批准；經批准的，香港特別行政區政府應當在中央人民政府同意的地點，為香港駐軍重新提供軍事用地和軍事設施，並負擔所有費用。 第十四條 香港特別行政區政府根據香港特別行政區基本法的規定，在必要時可以向中央人民政府請求香港駐軍協助維持社會治安和救助災害。 香港特別行政區政府的請求經中央人民政府批准後，香港駐軍根據中央軍事委員會的命令派出部隊執行協助維持社會治安和救助災害的任務，任務完成後即返回駐地。 香港駐軍協助維持社會治安和救助災害時，在香港特別行政區政府的安排下，由香港駐軍最高指揮官或者其授權的軍官實施指揮。 香港駐軍人員在協助維持社會治安和救助災害時，行使香港特別行政區法律規定的權力。 第十五條 香港駐軍和香港特別行政區政府應當建立必要的聯繫，協商處理與駐軍有關的事宜。 第四章 香港駐軍人員的義務與紀律 第十六條 香港駐軍人員應當履行下列義務： (一) 忠於祖國，履行職責，維護祖國的安全、榮譽和利益，維護香港的安全； (二) 遵守全國性的法律和香港特別行政區的法律，遵守軍隊的紀律； (三) 尊重香港特別行政區政權機構，尊重香港特別行政區的社會制度和生活方式； (四) 愛護香港特別行政區的公共財產和香港居民及其他人的私有財產； (五) 遵守社會公德，講究文明禮貌。 第十七條 香港駐軍人員不得參加香港的政治組織、宗教組織和社會團體。 第十八條 香港駐軍和香港駐軍人員不得以任何形式從事營利性經營活動。香港駐軍人員並不得從事與軍人職責不相稱的其他任何活動。 第十九條 香港駐軍人員違反全國性的法律和香港特別行政區的法律的，依法追究法律責任。 香港駐軍人員違反軍隊紀律的，給予紀律處分。 第五章 香港駐軍人員的司法管轄 第二十條 香港駐軍人員犯罪的案件由軍事司法機關管轄；但是，香港駐軍人員非執行職務的行為，侵犯香港居民、香港駐軍以外的其他人的人身權、財產權以及其他違反香港特別行政區法律構成犯罪的案件，由香港特別行政區法院以及有關的執法機關管轄。 軍事司法機關和香港特別行政區法院以及有關的執法機關對各自管轄的香港駐軍人員犯罪的案件，如果認為由對方管轄更為適宜，經雙方協商一致後，可以移交對方管轄。 軍事司法機關管轄的香港駐軍人員犯罪的案件中，涉及的被告人中的香港居民、香港駐軍人員以外的其他人，由香港特別行政區法院審判。 第二十一條 香港特別行政區執法人員依法拘捕的涉嫌犯罪的人員，查明是香港駐軍人員的，應當移交香港駐軍羈押。被羈押的人員所涉及的案件，依照本法第二十條的規定確定管轄。 第二十二條 香港駐軍人員被香港特別行政區法院判處剝奪或者限制人身自由的刑罰的，依照香港特別行政區的法律規定送交執行；但是，香港特別行政區有關執法機關與軍事司法機關對執行的地點另行協商確定的除外。 第二十三條 香港駐軍人員違反香港特別行政區的法律，侵害香港居民、香港駐軍以外的其他人的民事權利的，當事人可以通過協商、調解解決；不願通過協商、調解解決或者協商、調解不成的，被侵權人可以向法院提起訴訟。香港駐軍人員非執行職務的行為引起的民事侵權案件，由香港特別行政區法院管轄；執行職務的行為引起的民事侵權案件，由中華人民共和國最高人民法院管轄，侵權行為的損害賠償適用香港特別行政區法律。 第二十四條 香港駐軍的機關或者單位在香港特別行政區與香港居民、香港駐軍以外的其他人發生合同糾紛時，當事人可以通過協商、調解解決。當事人不願通過協商、調解解決或者協商、調解不成的，可以依據合同中的仲裁條款或者事後達成的書面仲裁協議，向仲裁機構申請仲裁。當事人沒有在合同中訂立仲裁條款，事後又沒有達成書面仲裁協議的，可以向香港特別行政區法院提起訴訟；但是，當事人對提起訴訟的法院另有約定的除外。 第二十五條 在香港特別行政區法院的訴訟活動中，香港駐軍對香港駐軍人員身分、執行職務的行為等事實發出的證明文件為有效證據。但是，相反證據成立的除外。 第二十六條 香港駐軍的國防等國家行為不受香港特別行政區法院管轄。 第二十七條 香港特別行政區法院作出的判決、裁定涉及香港駐軍的機關或者單位的財產執行的，香港駐軍的機關或者單位必須履行；但是，香港特別行政區法院不得對香港駐軍的武器裝備、物資和其他財產實施強制執行。 第二十八條 軍事司法機關可以與香港特別行政區法院和有關執法機關通過協商進行司法方面的聯繫和相互提供協助。 第六章 附則 第二十九條 本法的解釋權屬於全國人民代表大會常務委員會。 第三十條 本法自1997年7月1日起施行。 (English Translation) LAW OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE GARRISONING OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION (Adopted at the 23rd Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People’s Congress on December 30, 1996, promulgated by Order No. 80 of the President of the People’s Republic of China on December 30, 1996, and effective as of July 1, 1997) Contents Chapter I General Provisions Chapter II Functions and Responsibilities of the Hong Kong Garrison Chapter III Relationship between the Hong Kong Garrison and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Chapter IV Obligations of and Discipline for Members of the Hong Kong Garrison Chapter V Judicial Jurisdiction over Members of the Hong Kong Garrison Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 This Law is enacted in accordance with the Constitution and the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to ensure the lawful performance of functions and responsibilities by the military forces stationed by the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for defence, and to maintain the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the State and the security of Hong Kong. Article 2 The military forces stationed by the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for defence shall be composed of forces from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, and be designated as the Hong Kong Garrison of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (hereinafter referred to as the Hong Kong Garrison). Article 3 The Hong Kong Garrison shall be subject to the direction of the Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China. The number of its members shall be determined according to the need for the defence of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Hong Kong Garrison shall practise a system of rotation of its members. Article 4 Expenditure for the Hong Kong Garrison shall be borne by the Central People’s Government. Chapter II Functions and Responsibilities of the Hong Kong Garrison Article 5 The Hong Kong Garrison shall perform the following defence functions andresponsibilities: (l) preparing against and resisting aggression, and safeguarding the security of the HongKong Special Administrative Region; (2) carrying out defence duties; (3) controlling military facilities, and (4) handling foreign-related military affairs. Article 6 In the event that the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress decides to declare a state of war or, by reason of turmoil within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region which endangers national unity or security and is beyond the control of the Government of the Region, decides that the Region is in a state of emergency, the Hong Kong Garrison shall perform its duties in accordance with the provisions of the national laws that the Central People’s Government decides to apply in the Region. Article 7 No weapon and equipment, such as aircraft and vessels, and no material of the Hong Kong Garrison, and no member or vehicle of the Garrison that bears a certificate or a document of certification issued by the Hong Kong Garrison showing that the bearer is on official duty, shall be inspected, searched, seized or detained by any law-enforcing officer of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Hong Kong Garrison and its members shall also enjoy other rights and immunities prescribed by the laws in force in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 8 Members of the Hong Kong Garrison may, in accordance with the provisions of the laws in force in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, take measures to stop any act which obstructs their performance of official duties. Chapter III Relationship between the Hong Kong Garrison and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Article 9 The Hong Kong Garrison shall not interfere in the local affairs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 10 The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall support the Hong Kong Garrison in its performance of defence functions and responsibilities and guarantee the lawful rights and interests of the Hong Kong Garrison and its members. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall consult the Hong Kong Garrison when formulating any policy or drafting any legislation which concerns the Hong Kong Garrison. Article 11 The Hong Kong Garrison shall notify in advance the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of any military activities it is to conduct such as training exercises and manoeuvres which may affect the public interests of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 12 The Hong Kong Garrison and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall jointly protect the military facilities within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Hong Kong Garrison shall delimit military restricted zones in conjunction with the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The locations and boundaries of the military restricted zones shall be declared by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall assist the Hong Kong Garrison in maintaining the security of the military restricted zones. Without permission of the Commander of the Hong Kong Garrison or other officers as he may authorize to give such permission, no person, vehicle, ship or aircraft other than the ones of the Hong Kong Garrison shall enter the military restricted zones. Guards of the military restricted zones shall have the right to stop according to law any unauthorized entry into any military restricted zone or any act which damages or endangers any military facilities. The Hong Kong Garrison shall protect the natural resources, historical relics and monuments, and other non-military rights and interests within the military restricted zones in accordance with the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 13 Any land used by the Hong Kong Garrison for military purposes, when approved by the Central People’s Government to be no longer needed for defence purposes, shall be turned over without compensation to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region for disposal. If the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region needs for public use any part of the land used for military purposes by the Hong Kong Garrison, it shall seek approval of the Central People’s Government; where approval is obtained, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall in return provide land and military facilities for the Hong Kong Garrison at such sites as agreed to by the Central People’s Government, and shall bear all the expenses and costs entailed. Article 14 Pursuant to the provisions of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may, when necessary, ask the Central People’s Government for assistance from the Hong Kong Garrison in the maintenance of public order or in disaster relief. After the request of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is approved by the Central People’s Government, the Hong Kong Garrison shall call out troops in accordance with the order of the Central Military Commission to carry out tasks of assistance in the maintenance of public order or in disaster relief, and upon completion of the tasks, the troops shall return to their barracks immediately. The troops of the Hong Kong Garrison who are called out to assist in the maintenance of public order or in disaster relief shall, under the arrangement of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, be directed by the Commander of the Hong Kong Garrison or the officer authorized by him. Members of the Hong Kong Garrison may exercise the powers conferred by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the course of rendering assistance in the maintenance of public order or in disaster relief. Article 15 The Hong Kong Garrison and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall establish necessary liaison to deal with matters concerning the Hong Kong Garrison through consultation. Chapter IV Obligations of and Discipline for Members of the Hong Kong Garrison Article 16 Members of the Hong Kong Garrison shall fulfill the following obligations: (l) to be loyal to their motherland, perform their functions and responsibilities, maintain the security, honour and interests of their motherland, and safeguard the security of Hong Kong; (2) to abide by national laws and the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and observe military discipline; (3) to respect the organs of political power, the social system and the ways of life of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; (4) to cherish the public property of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the private property of Hong Kong residents and other persons, and (5) to observe public ethics and cultivate civility and courtesy. Article 17 Members of the Hong Kong Garrison shall not join any political, religious or public organization in Hong Kong. Article 18 The Hong Kong Garrison or its members shall not engage in any form of profit-making business activities. Members of the Hong Kong Garrison shall not engage in any other activity incompatible with their functions and responsibilities as servicemen. Article 19 Any member of the Hong Kong Garrison who contravenes any national law or law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be investigated for legal responsibility according to law. Any member of the Hong Kong Garrison who breaches military discipline shall be subject to disciplinary sanction. Chapter V Judicial Jurisdiction over Members of the Hong Kong Garrison Article 20 Criminal offences committed by members of the Hong Kong Garrison shall be under the jurisdiction of the military judicial organs; but acts committed by members of the Hong Kong Garrison, when not performing their official duties, in violation of the personal right or property right of Hong Kong residents or other persons not of the Hong Kong Garrison and other offences committed in violation of the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which constitute crimes shall be subject to jurisdiction of the courts and the relevant law-enforcing organs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The military judicial organ and the court or the relevant law-enforcing organ of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may transfer to the other party the criminal cases of members of the Hong Kong Garrison under their respective jurisdiction if they consider it to be more appropriate for the other party to exercise jurisdiction, provided that consensus is reached through consultation. Hong Kong residents or other persons not of the Hong Kong Garrison involved as defendants in the criminal cases of members of the Hong Kong Garrison under the jurisdiction of the military judicial organs shall be tried by the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 21 Any person who is lawfully arrested as a suspected offender by law-enforcing officers of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, once confirmed upon investigation to be a member of the Hong Kong Garrison, shall be handed over to the Hong Kong Garrison for custody. Jurisdiction over the case involving the person in custody shall be determined in accordance with the provisions in Article 20 of this Law. Article 22 Any member of the Hong Kong Garrison sentenced by a court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to criminal punishment which deprives him of or restricts his personal freedom shall be delivered for sentence enforcement according to the provisions of the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except for the case in which the place of sentence enforcement is determined otherwise by a relevant law-enforcing organ of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the military judicial organ through consultation. Article 23 Where any member of the Hong Kong Garrison, in contravention of the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, infringes the civil rights of any Hong Kong resident or other person not of the Hong Kong Garrison, the parties concerned may seek settlement through consultation or mediation; if they are unwilling or fail to reach settlement through consultation or mediation, the infringed party may bring an action in the court. Cases of tort arising from acts committed by members of the Hong Kong Garrison when not performing their official duties shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; cases of tort arising from acts committed by members of the Hong Kong Garrison when performing their official duties shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China, and compensation for any loss or injury incurred by acts of tort shall be governed by the laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 24 Where any contractual dispute arises within the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region between any organ or unit of the Hong Kong Garrison and any Hong Kong resident or other person not of the Hong Kong Garrison, the parties concerned may settle their dispute through consultation or mediation; if the parties are unwilling or fail to reach settlement through consultation or mediation, they may submit the dispute to the arbitration agency for arbitration in accordance with the arbitration clause contained in the contract or with a written arbitration agreement reached by the parties afterwards. If no arbitration clause is contained in the contract and no written arbitration agreement is reached afterwards, the parties may institute proceedings in a court of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, except that the parties agree otherwise as to the court for instituting proceedings. Article 25 Certificates issued by the Hong Kong Garrison regarding facts such as identity of membership of the Hong Kong Garrison and acts in performance of official duties shall be valid evidence in proceedings in the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, unless the contrary is proved. Article 26 Acts of State, such as actions for defence taken by the Hong Kong Garrison, shall not be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Article 27 Organs or units of the Hong Kong Garrison shall comply with the judgments or orders issued by the courts of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region concerning arrangement of their property; but the said courts shall not enforce judgments or orders on any weapon, equipment, material or other property of the Hong Kong Garrison. Article 28 The military judicial organs may, through consultation, maintain juridical relations with the courts and the relevant law-enforcing organs of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and they may render assistance to each other. Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions Article 29 The power of interpretation of this Law shall be vested in the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Article 30 This Law shall come into force as of July l, 1997. Schedule 3 《中華人民共和國領事特權與豁免條例》 (1990年10月30日第七屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十六次會議通過1990年10月30日中華人民共和國主席令第三十五號公布自公布之日起施行) 第一條 為確定外國駐中國領館和領館成員的領事特權與豁免，便於外國駐中國領館在領區內代表其國家有效地執行職務，制定本條例。 第二條 領事官員應當是具有派遣國國籍的人。如果委派具有中國或者第三國國籍的人或者派遣國在中國永久居留的人為領事官員，必須徵得中國主管機關的同意。中國主管機關可以隨時撤銷此項同意。 第三條 領館及其館長有權在領館館舍、館長寓所和館長執行職務所乘用的交通工具上，使用派遣國國旗或者國徽。 第四條 領館館舍不受侵犯。中國國家工作人員進入領館館舍，須經領館館長或者派遣國使館館長或者他們兩人中一人授權的人員同意。遇有火災或者其他災害須迅速採取保護行動時，可以推定領館館長已經同意。中國有關機關應當採取適當措施保護領館館舍免受侵犯或者損害。 第五條 領館館舍和館長寓所免納捐稅，但為其提供特定服務所收的費用不在此限。 領館辦理公務所收規費和手續費免納捐稅。 第六條 領館的檔案和文件不受侵犯。 第七條 領館成員在中國境內有行動和旅行的自由，但中國政府規定禁止或者限制進入的區域除外。 第八條 領館為公務目的可以同派遣國政府以及派遣國使館和其他領館自由通訊。通訊可以採用一切適當方法，包括外交信使或者領事信使、外交郵袋或者領事郵袋和明碼、密碼電信在內。 第九條 領館設置和使用無綫電收發信機，必須經中國政府同意。領館運進上述設備，按照中國政府的有關規定辦理。 第十條 領事郵袋不得開拆或者扣留。 領事郵袋以裝載來往公文、公務文件及公務用品為限，應予加封並附有可資識別的外部標記。如中國有關機關有重大理由認為領事郵袋裝有上述物品以外的物品時，可要求領事官員或者其授權的人員在中國有關機關人員在場的情況下開拆；如領事官員拒絕此項要求，領事郵袋應予退回至原發送地點。 第十一條 領事信使必須是具有派遣國國籍的人，並且不得是在中國永久居留的。領事信使必須持有派遣國主管機關出具的信使證明書。領事信使人身不受侵犯，不受逮捕或者拘留。 臨時領事信使必須持有派遣國主管機關出具的臨時信使證明書，在其負責攜帶領事郵袋期間享有與領事信使同等的豁免。 商業飛機機長或者商業船舶船長受委托可以轉遞領事郵袋，但機長或者船長必須持有委托國官方證明文件，註明所攜帶的領事郵袋件數。機長或者船長不得視為領事信使。經與中國地方人民政府主管機關商定，領館可以派領館成員與機長或者船長接交領事郵袋。 第十二條 領事官員人身不受侵犯。中國有關機關應當採取適當措施，防止領事官員的人身自由和尊嚴受到侵犯。 領事官員不受逮捕或者拘留，但有嚴重犯罪情形，依照法定程序予以逮捕或者拘留的不在此限。 領事官員不受監禁，但為執行已經發生法律效力的判決的不在此限。 第十三條 領事官員的寓所不受侵犯。 領事官員的文書和信件不受侵犯。 領事官員的財產不受侵犯，但本條例第十四條另有規定的除外。 第十四條 領事官員和領館行政技術人員執行職務的行為享有司法和行政管轄豁免。領事官員執行職務以外的行為的管轄豁免，按照中國與外國簽訂的雙邊條約、協定或者根據對等原則辦理。 領事官員和領館行政技術人員享有的司法管轄豁免不適用於下列各項民事訴訟： (一) 涉及未明示以派遣國代表身分所訂的契約的訴訟； (二) 涉及在中國境內的私有不動產的訴訟，但以派遣國代表身分所擁有的為領館使用的不動產不在此限； (三) 以私人身分進行的遺產繼承的訴訟； (四) 因車輛、船舶或者航空器在中國境內造成的事故涉及損害賠償的訴訟。 第十五條 領館成員可以被要求在司法或者行政程序中到場作證，但沒有義務就其執行職務所涉及事項作證。領館成員有權拒絕以鑒定人身分就派遣國的法律提出證詞。 領事官員拒絕作證，不得對其採取強制措施或者給予處罰。 領館行政技術人員和領館服務人員除執行職務所涉及事項外，不得拒絕作證。 第十六條 本條例規定的有關人員所享有的管轄豁免可以由派遣國政府明確表示放棄。 依照本條例規定享有管轄豁免的人員如果主動提起訴訟，對與本訴直接有關的反訴，不得援用管轄豁免。 放棄民事管轄豁免或者行政管轄豁免，不包括對判決的執行也放棄豁免。放棄對判決執行的豁免須由派遣國政府另作明確表示。 第十七條 領事官員和領館行政技術人員免納捐稅，但下列各項除外： (一) 通常計入商品價格或者服務價格內的捐稅； (二) 對在中國境內私有不動產所徵的捐稅，但用作領館館舍的不在此限； (三) 有關遺產的各種捐稅，但領事官員亡故，其在中國境內的動產的有關遺產的各種捐稅免納； (四) 對來源於中國境內的私人收入所徵的捐稅； (五) 為其提供特定服務所收的費用。 領館服務人員在領館服務所得工資，免納捐稅。 第十八條 領館成員免除一切個人和公共勞務以及軍事義務。 領事官員和領館行政技術人員免除中國法律、法規關於外國人登記和居留許可所規定的義務。 第十九條 領館運進的公務用品，領事官員運進的自用物品和領館行政技術人員到任後半年內運進的自用物品包括安家物品，按照中國政府的有關規定免納關稅和其他捐稅，但保管、運輸及類似服務費用除外。 領事官員和領館行政技術人員運進的前款所述自用物品，不得超過直接需要的數量。 領事官員的私人行李免受查驗，但中國有關機關有重大理由認為其中裝有不屬於本條第一款規定的自用物品或者中國法律和政府規定禁止運進、運出或者管制的物品，可以查驗。查驗時，須有領事官員或者其授權的人員到場。 第二十條 領館和領館成員攜帶自用的槍枝、子彈入出境，必須經中國政府批准，並且按照中國政府的有關規定辦理。 第二十一條 與領事官員、領館行政技術人員、領館服務人員共同生活的配偶及未成年子女，分別享有領事官員、領館行政技術人員、領館服務人員根據本條例第七條、第十七條、第十八條、第十九條的規定所享有的特權與豁免，但身為中國公民或者在中國永久居留的外國人除外。 第二十二條 領事官員如果是中國公民或者在中國永久居留的外國人，僅就其執行職務的行為，享有本條例規定的特權與豁免。 領館行政技術人員或者領館服務人員如果是中國公民或者在中國永久居留的外國人，除沒有義務就其執行職務所涉及事項作證外，不享有本條例規定的特權與豁免。 私人服務人員不享有本條例規定的特權與豁免。 第二十三條 下列人員在中國過境或者逗留期間享有所必需的豁免和不受侵犯： (一) 途經中國的外國駐第三國的領事官員和與其共同生活的配偶及未成年子女； (二) 持有中國外交簽證或者持有與中國互免簽證國家外交護照的外國領事官員。 第二十四條 享有領事特權與豁免的人員： (一) 應當尊重中國的法律、法規； (二) 不得干涉中國的內政； (三) 不得將領館館舍和領館成員的寓所充作與執行領事職務不相符合的用途。 第二十五條 領事官員不得在中國境內為私人利益從事任何職務範圍以外的職業或者商業活動。 第二十六條 如果外國給予中國駐該國領館、領館成員以及途經或者臨時去該國的中國駐第三國領事官員的領事特權與豁免，不同於中國給予該國駐中國領館、領館成員以及途經或者臨時來中國的該國駐第三國領事官員的領事特權與豁免，中國政府根據對等原則，可以給予該國駐中國領館、領館成員以及途經或者臨時來中國的該國駐第三國領事官員以相應的領事特權與豁免。 第二十七條 中國締結或者參加的國際條約對領事特權與豁免另有規定的，按照國際條約的規定辦理，但中國聲明保留的條款除外。 中國與外國簽訂的雙邊條約或者協定對領事特權與豁免另有規定的，按照條約或者協定的規定執行。 第二十八條 本條例中下列用語的含義是： (一) “領館”是指總領事館、領事館、副領事館或者領事代理處； (二) “領區”是指為領館執行領事職務而設定的區域； (三) “領館館長”是指派遣國委派領導領館的總領事、領事、副領事或者領事代理人； (四) “領事官員”是指總領事、副總領事、領事、副領事、領事隨員或者領事代理人； (五) “領館行政技術人員”是指從事領館行政或者技術工作的人員； (六) “領館服務人員”是指從事領館服務工作的人員； (七) “領館成員”是指領事官員、領館行政技術人員和領館服務人員； (八) “私人服務人員”是指領館成員私人僱用的服務人員； (九) “領館館舍”是指專供領館使用的建築物或者部分建築物及其附屬的土地。 第二十九條 本條例自公布之日起施行。 (English Translation) REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA CONCERNING CONSULAR PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (Adopted at the 16th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People’s Congress on October 30, 1990, promulgated by Order No. 35 of the President of the People’s Republic of China on October 30, 1990 and effective as of the date of promulgation) Article 1 The present Regulations are formulated for the purpose of defining the consular privileges and immunities of the foreign consular posts in China and their members and facilitating the efficient performance of the functions of such foreign consular posts in their consular districts as representatives of the sending States. Article 2 Consular officers shall be of the nationality of the sending State. They may, only with the consent of the competent Chinese authorities, be appointed from among persons of Chinese or third-state nationality or nationals of the sending State who are permanent residents of China. This consent may be withdrawn at any time by the said Chinese authorities. Article 3 The consular post and its head shall have the right to use the national flag and emblem of the sending State on the premises of the consular post, on the residence of the head of the consular post and on his means of transport when used on official business. Article 4 The premises of the consular post shall be inviolable. Chinese government functionaries may enter them only with the consent of the head of the consular post or the head of the diplomatic mission of the sending State or another person authorized by either of them. The consent of the head of the consular post may be assumed in case of fire or other disaster requiring prompt protective action. The Chinese authorities concerned shall take appropriate measures to protect the premises of the consular post against any intrusion or damage. Article 5 The premises of the consular post and the residence of its head shall be exempt from dues and taxes other than such as represent payment for specific services rendered. The fees and charges levied by the consular post in the course of its official duties shall be exempt from all dues and taxes. Article 6 The archives and documents of the consular post shall be inviolable. Article 7 The members of the consular post shall enjoy freedom of movement and travel within Chinese territory except for areas the entry into which is prohibited or restricted by the regulations of the Chinese Government. Article 8 The consular post may for official purposes communicate freely with the Government and the diplomatic mission and other consular posts of the sending State. In so doing, it may employ all appropriate means, including diplomatic couriers or consular couriers, diplomatic bag or consular bag, and messages in code or cipher. Article 9 The consular post may install and use a wireless transmitter-receiver only with the consent of the Chinese Government. The import of the above-mentioned equipment shall be subject to the relevant procedure prescribed by the Chinese Government. Article 10 The consular bag shall not be opened or detained. The consular bag may contain only official correspondence and documents or articles intended for official use and must be sealed and bear visible external marks of its character. If the Chinese authorities concerned have serious reason to believe that the bag contains something other than the above-mentioned objects, they may request that the bag be opened in the presence of personnel from the Chinese authorities concerned by the consular officer or another person authorized by him. If this request is refused by the consular officer, the bag shall be returned to its place of origin. Article 11 The consular courier must be of the nationality of the sending State and shall not be a permanent resident of China. The consular courier must be provided with a courier certificate issued by the competent authorities of the sending State. He shall enjoy personal inviolability and shall not be liable to arrest or detention. Consular couriers ad hoc must be provided with certificates of courier ad hoc issued by the competent authorities of the sending State, and shall enjoy the same immunities as the consular courier while charged with the carrying of the consular bag. A consular bag may be entrusted to the captain of a commercial aircraft or a commercial ship. He must be provided with an official document issued by the consigner State indicating the number of packages constituting the bag, but he shall not be regarded as a consular courier. By arrangement with the competent authorities of the appropriate Chinese local people’s government, the consular post may send its members to receive the consular bag from the captain of the aircraft or of the ship or deliver it to him. Article 12 The person of a consular officer shall be inviolable. The Chinese authorities concerned shall take appropriate measures to prevent any attack on his personal freedom and dignity. Consular officers shall not be liable to arrest or detention, except that the arrest or detention is executed in the case of a grave crime and by following legal procedures. Consular officers shall not be committed to prison save in execution of a judicial decision of final effect. Article 13 The residence of a consular officer shall be inviolable. His papers and correspondence shall be inviolable. His property, except as provided in Article 14 of the present Regulations, shall be inviolable. Article 14 Consular officers and members of the administrative and technical staff of the consular post shall enjoy immunity from judicial and administrative jurisdiction in respect of acts performed in the exercise of their functions. Immunity from jurisdiction of consular officers in respect of acts other than those performed in the exercise of their functions shall be accorded in accordance with the bilateral treaties and agreements between China and other countries concerned or on the principle of reciprocity. Immunity from judicial jurisdiction enjoyed by consular officers and members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post shall not apply to any of the following civil actions: (1) an action arising out of a contract not concluded expressly as an agent of the sending State; (2) an action relating to private immovable property situated in the territory of China, unless they hold it as an agent of the sending State for the purposes of the consular post. (3) an action relating to succession in which he is involved as a private person; or (4) an action for damages arising from an accident in China caused by a vehicle, vessel or aircraft. Article 15 Members of a consular post may be called upon to attend as witnesses in the course of judicial or administrative proceedings, but shall be under no obligation to give testimony concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions. They are entitled to decline to give testimony as expert witnesses with regard to the law of the sending State. If consular officers should decline to give testimony, no coercive measure or penalty may be applied to them. Members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post and members of the service staff shall not decline to give testimony except in cases concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions. Article 16 The immunity from jurisdiction enjoyed by the persons concerned specified in the present Regulations may be waived through explicit expression by the Government of the sending State. The initiation of proceedings by a person enjoying immunity from jurisdiction in accordance with the provisions of the present Regulations shall preclude him from invoking immunity from jurisdiction in respect of any counter-claim directly connected with the claim. Waiver of immunity from civil or administrative jurisdiction shall not imply waiver of immunity in respect of the execution of the judgment, for which a separate and explicit waiver by the Government of the sending State shall be necessary. Article 17 Consular officers and members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post shall be exempt from all dues and taxes, except: (l) dues and taxes of a kind which are normally incorporated in the price of goods or services; (2) dues or taxes on private immovable property situated in the territory of China, excepting that used as the consular premises; (3) estate, succession or inheritance duties, except that movable property left in China by a deceased consular officer shall be exempt therefrom; (4) dues and taxes on private income having its source in China; or (5) charges levied for specific services rendered. Members of the service staff of the consular post shall be exempt from dues and taxes on the wages which they receive for their service in the consular post. Article 18 Members of the consular post shall be exempt from all personal and public services as well as military obligations. Consular officers and members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post shall be exempt from all obligations under the laws and regulations of China in regard to the registration of aliens and residence permits. Article 19 Imported articles for the official use of the consular post, those for the personal use of consular officers, and those for the personal use of members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post, including articles intended for their establishment, imported within six months of the time of installation shall, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Chinese Government, be exempt from customs duties and all other related dues and taxes with the exception of charges for storage, cartage and similar services. Imported articles for the personal use of the consular officers and the members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post referred to in the preceding paragraph shall not exceed the quantities necessary for their direct utilization. The personal baggage of a consular officer shall be exempt from inspection, unless the competent Chinese authorities have serious reason to believe that it contains articles not within the exemptions provided for in the first paragraph of this Article, or articles the import or export of which is prohibited or controlled by Chinese laws and government regulations. Such inspection shall be conducted in the presence of the consular officer or of his authorized representative. Article 20 The consular post and its members may carry firearms and bullets into or out of China for their personal use, subject to the approval of the Chinese Government and to its relevant regulations. Article 21 The spouse and underage children of consular officers, of members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post, or of members of the service staff of the consular post forming part of their respective households, except those who are nationals of China or aliens permanently residing in China, shall respectively enjoy the privileges and immunities accorded to the consular officers, the members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post or the members of the service staff of the consular post in accordance with the provisions of Articles 7, 17, 18, or 19 of the present Regulations. Article 22 Consular officers who are nationals of China or aliens permanently residing in China shall enjoy the privileges and immunities provided for in the present Regulations only in respect of acts performed in the course of official duties. Members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post and members of the service staff of the consular post who are nationals of China or aliens permanently residing in China shall not enjoy the privileges and immunities provided for in the present Regulations except that they shall have no obligation to give evidence concerning matters connected with the exercise of their functions. Private attendants shall not enjoy the privileges and immunities provided for in the present Regulations. Article 23 The following persons shall enjoy necessary immunity and inviolability during their transit through or sojourn in China: (1) a consular officer stationed in a third State who passes through China together with his spouse and underage children forming part of his household; and (2) a visiting foreign consular officer who has obtained a diplomatic visa from China or who holds a diplomatic passport of a State with which China has an agreement on the mutual exemption of visas. Article 24 Persons enjoying consular privileges and immunities under the present Regulations shall: (1) respect Chinese laws and regulations; (2) not interfere in the internal affairs of China; and (3) not use the premises of the consular post and the residence of members of the consular post for purposes incompatible with the exercise of consular functions. Article 25 Consular officers shall not practise for personal profit any professional or commercial activity outside his official functions on Chinese territory.

Article 26 In case the consular privileges and immunities accorded by a foreign State to the Chinese consular post and its members in that State and to transitting or visiting Chinese consular officers stationed in a third State are different from those China would give under the present Regulations to the consular post of that State and its members in China and its transitting or visiting consular officers stationed in a third State, the Chinese Government may accord them such consular privileges and immunities as appropriate on a reciprocal basis. Article 27 Where the international treaties to which China is a contracting or acceding party provide otherwise in respect of consular privileges and immunities, such provisions shall prevail, with the exception of those on which China has declared reservations. Where the bilateral treaties or agreements between China and other countries provide otherwise in respect of consular privileges and immunities, such provisions shall prevail. Article 28 For the purposes of the present Regulations, the following expressions shall have the meanings hereunder assigned to them: (1) “consular post” means any consulate-general, consulate, vice-consulate or consular agency; (2) “consular district” means the area assigned to a consular post for the exercise of consular functions; (3) “head of consular post” means the consul-general, consul, vice-consul or consular agent charged by the sending State with the duty of leading the consular post; (4) “consular officer” means the consul-general, vice-consul-general, consul, vice-consul and consular attache or consular agent; (5) “members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post’’ mean the members of the staff of the consular post engaged in the administrative or technical work of the consular post; (6) “members of the service staff” mean the members of the staff of the consular post engaged in the domestic service of the consular post; (7) “members of the consular post” mean consular officers, members of the administrative or technical staff of the consular post and members of the service staff of the consular post; (8) “private attendant” means an attendant in the private employment of a member of the consular post; (9) “consular premises” mean the buildings or parts of buildings and the land ancillary thereto used exclusively for the purposes of the consular post. Article 29 The present Regulations shall enter into force as of the date of promulgation. TUNG Chee-hwa Chief Executive 2 July 1997