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 Hong Kong |  North Korea |
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Hong Kong–North Korea relations (Korean : 홍콩-조선민주주의인민공화국 관계) are bilateral relations between Hong Kong and Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
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Hong Kong | North Korea |
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Hong Kong–North Korea relations (Korean : 홍콩-조선민주주의인민공화국 관계) are bilateral relations between Hong Kong and Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
From the establishment of Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 1945 until after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 1997, there were no official relations. [1] During the Korean War and the Cold War, the two sides were on opposing sides. Hong Kong, as first a colony then a dependent territory of the United Kingdom, formed part of the capitalist camp led by the United States, while North Korea was an ally of the Soviet Union and Mainland China. Some Local Enlisted Personnel (LEP) joined with British Forces in combat in the Korean War. Hong Kong joined the embargo imposed on the communist bloc during the second half of the 20th century.
Following the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong to China, North Korea was able to open a Consulate-General in February 2000 by virtue of its diplomatic relations with Beijing, having previously not been allowed to establish a trade mission during British rule. [1] The Consulate General is located in Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island. In October 2023, North Korean officials informed the Chinese the Consulate General would be closed as part of broad cutbacks in its diplomatic missions. [2]
Hong Kong had been involved in two cases of North Korean defectors. In 1996, a family of 16 people escaped from North Korea to Hong Kong via China. Among them five children and one pregnant woman applied for political asylum and were further transferred to South Korea. [3]
In July 2016, Ri Jong-yol went to Hong Kong as part of the North Korean delegation for the International Mathematical Olympiad at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; he defected immediately after he won a silver medal at the competition and sought refuge at the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) in Hong Kong. [4] The defector eventually left for South Korea around the last week of September 2016 after staying about 80 days in Hong Kong. [5]
Hong Kong is the second largest trading partner of North Korea. [6] Hong Kong and North Korea cooperate in several international organisations, with a focus on social and cultural issues. Despite Hong Kong being the second freest market economy in the world [7] and North Korea being a planned economy, the economic success of Hong Kong had served as a model for the planning of the Sinuiju Special Administrative Region, described by its proponents as being the "Hong Kong of North Korea"; it ultimately never went into fruition due to Yang Bin's arrest by Chinese authorities. [8]
In December 2016, the Secretary of Education of Hong Kong, Eddie Ng attended a formal meeting with the newly appointed North Korean Consul-General, Jang Song Chol, in Hong Kong, discussing the current state of Hong Kong's education. Afterward, Ng posted on his Facebook page stating that he "anticipated exchanges in cultural and educational affairs will be strengthened in the future." Ng's statement was received negatively by the public, with netizens noting that North Korean style "brainwashing" should not be a shared common ground between Hong Kong and North Korea. [9]
The Republic of the Marshall Islands has established bilateral diplomatic relations with 112 countries. Regional cooperation, through membership in various regional and international organizations, is a key element in its foreign policy.
The Consulate General of the United States, Hong Kong and Macau, represents the United States in Hong Kong and Macau.
The British Consulate General Hong Kong (BCGHK), located at 1 Supreme Court Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong Island, is one of the largest British consulates general in the world and is bigger than many British embassies and high commissions. It is responsible for maintaining British ties with Hong Kong and Macau.
As of May 2024, there are 70 diplomatic missions in Hong Kong, of which 62 are consulates-general and 8 are officially recognised bodies in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong has the status of a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, some consuls-general in Hong Kong report directly to their respective foreign ministries, rather than to their Embassies in Beijing.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office London is Hong Kong's representation in the United Kingdom. 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. It also organizes official visits, seminars and liaison events in the countries concerned, and acts as a hub to support investors from these countries in their search for business opportunities in Hong Kong and mainland China.
The bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) have been generally friendly, although they have been somewhat strained in recent years because of North Korea's nuclear program. They have a close special relationship. China and North Korea have a mutual aid and co-operation treaty, signed in 1961, which is currently the only defense treaty China has with any nation. China's relationship with North Korea is its only formal alliance.
The Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao represents Canada in the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China. As Hong Kong was linked to the Commonwealth during British administration, Canada's mission was called the Canadian Commission before the transfer of sovereignty to China on July 1, 1997. Since 1980, the Head of Mission in Hong Kong has also served as Consul-General to Macau.
There are 15 consular missions in Macau, of which three are consulates-general, two is a consular office and ten are honorary consuls.
A de facto embassy is an office or organisation that serves de facto as an embassy in the absence of normal or official diplomatic relations among countries, usually to represent nations which lack full diplomatic recognition, regions or dependencies of countries, or territories over which sovereignty is disputed. In some cases, diplomatic immunity and extraterritoriality may be granted.
China–Peru relations are foreign relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Peru. Peru is the first Latin American country that China established formal ties with, which was done by the Qing dynasty in August 1875. Both nations are members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and the United Nations.
South Africa–Taiwan relations, also before 1998: Republic of China–South Africa relations refers to the current and historical relationship between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Republic of South Africa. The Republic of China and South Africa established diplomatic ties in 1949.
The Australian Consulate General Hong Kong represents the Commonwealth of Australia in Hong Kong, and is also accredited to Macau. As Hong Kong was linked to the Commonwealth during British administration, Australia's diplomatic presence was exercised by an Australian Commission, until 1 January 1986, when it was renamed the Australian Consulate-General. From 1946 to 1972, Australia was represented by the Australian Trade Commission.
The Australian Consulate-General in Shanghai represents the Commonwealth of Australia in Shanghai, the most populous city and a global financial centre in the People's Republic of China. The Consulate-General, one of many in Shanghai, has its offices in the CITIC Square building, 1168 Nanjing Road West.
The Consulate General of South Korea in Hong Kong is a consular mission of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to Hong Kong and Macau. It is located at 5-6F, Far East Finance Center 16, Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong. It is one of the first South Korean overseas missions since the country's foundation, opened in British Hong Kong under approval of the United Kingdom in 1949, going through promotion and expansion in its history. Following the Transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China in 1997, the Consulate General was able to keep its presence according to a Sino-Korean agreement concerning foreign missions stationed in Hong Kong.
Ri Jong-yol is a North Korean defector and child prodigy of mathematics. After winning silver at the 2016 International Mathematical Olympiad in Hong Kong, he made his way to the South Korean consulate general, where he sought refuge for two months. Chinese authorities eventually allowed him to leave Hong Kong on a flight to Seoul. He legally changed his name to Lee Jung-ho (이정호) after receiving South Korean citizenship.
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