View source for Consulate General of the United Kingdom, Hong Kong

{{Short description|British Consulate General serving Hong Kong}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox Diplomatic Mission
| name            = British Consulate General<br>Hong Kong<br>{{small|{{nobold|英國駐香港總領事館}}}}
| image           = HK British Consulate Justice Drive 1.JPG
| address         = 1 Supreme Court Road,<br>[[Admiralty, Hong Kong|Admiralty]], [[Hong Kong Island]]
| location        = [[Hong Kong]]
| coordinates     = {{coord|22|16|34.25|N|114|9|53.7|E|type:landmark_region:HK|display=inline,title}}
| consul_general  = [[Brian Davidson]],<br>consul general to Hong Kong and Macau
| style           =
| website         = [https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-hong-kong British Consulate General Hong Kong]
}}
{{Chinese|t=英國駐香港總領事館|s=英国驻香港总领事馆|j=jing1 gwok3 zyu3 hoeng1 gong2 zung2 ling5 si6 gun2|p=Yīngguó zhù Xiānggǎng Zǒnglǐngshìguǎn}}
The '''British Consulate General Hong Kong''' (BCGHK),<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1594/response/5273/attach/3/0661%2008%20Dr%20Kaihsu%20Tai%203%20response.pdf |title=FCO Ref: 0661-08 Your Freedom Of Information Request |publisher=Far Eastern Group, [[Foreign & Commonwealth Office]] |date=2008-09-03 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20190615085238/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:O0PonJq9sI8J:https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/1594/response/5273/attach/3/0661%252008%2520Dr%2520Kaihsu%2520Tai%25203%2520response.pdf%3Fcookie_passthrough%3D1+&cd=3&hl=en |archivedate=2019-06-15 |access-date=2010-05-22  |page=2 }}</ref> located at 1 Supreme Court Road, [[Admiralty, Hong Kong|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.<ref name="GOV.UK">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-consulate-general-hong-kong|title=British Consulate General Hong Kong - GOV.UK|first1=appointment only Please visit www gov uk/world/hong-kong or call +2901 3000|last1=Access|first2=Opening|last2=Times|website=www.gov.uk}}</ref> It is responsible for maintaining British ties with [[Hong Kong]] and [[Macau]].<ref name="GOV.UK" />
Together with the [[Consulate General of the United States, Hong Kong and Macau|Consulate General of the United States of America, Hong Kong and Macau]]; the Consulate General of Malaysia; and the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, the British consulate general is among the few consulates general in Hong Kong to be housed in its own building.
==Role==
Due to Hong Kong's status as a [[Special administrative regions of China|special administrative region]] of the People's Republic of China, the consul general in Hong Kong reports directly to the China Department of the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]], instead of to the [[List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to China|British ambassador]] to Beijing, unlike consuls general in [[mainland China]].<ref>[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmfaff/649/64907.htm The UK's relations with Hong Kong: 30 years after the Joint Declaration], Tenth Report of Session 2014–15, [[Foreign Affairs Select Committee]], [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]], 6 March 2015, page 16 [https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmfaff/649/649.pdf PDF]</ref> The consulate general in Hong Kong also serves Macau, with several diplomats accredited specifically to Macau.<ref>{{cite web|title=British Embassy Macao|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/world/organisations/british-embassy-macao|publisher=Foreign & Commonwealth Office|access-date=12 February 2016}}</ref>
The consulate general was also the Regional Passport Processing Centre, handling passport applications from British citizens resident elsewhere in Asia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_192370|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110410172600/www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_192370|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2011|title=Passport application changes for Brits living abroad|first=Central|last=team|date=9 November 2010|website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk|access-date=22 August 2020}}</ref>
Previously, it also processed applications received by the British Trade and Cultural Office (now called the [[British Office Taipei|British Office]]) in [[Taipei]], Taiwan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ukintaiwan.fco.gov.uk/en/our-offices-in-taiwan/our-office-in-taipei/|archive-url=http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20091110183537/http://ukintaiwan.fco.gov.uk/en/our-offices-in-taiwan/our-office-in-taipei/|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 November 2009|title=Our office in Taipei|website=webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk|access-date=11 August 2008}}</ref> It also received registrations of marriages from British nationals in Taiwan, although there was no legal requirement for British nationals to do so.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ukintaiwan.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-taiwan/how-register-marriage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202095352/http://ukintaiwan.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-taiwan/how-register-marriage|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 February 2009|title=Marriage in Taiwan|date=2 February 2009}}</ref>
This role ceased in 2014, and all passport-related matters have since been handled by [[His Majesty's Passport Office]] in the UK. Furthermore, visa application matters are outsourced to a separate company since 2015.
==History==
When Hong Kong was under [[British Hong Kong|British rule]], the [[Governor of Hong Kong|governor]] represented the [[British government]], as well as the [[British monarch]] as [[head of state]]. Matters relating to [[British nationality]] were handled by the [[Immigration Department (Hong Kong)|Hong Kong Immigration Department]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=veEZBAAAQBAJ&q=%22immigration+department%22+british&pg=PA167 ''Hong Kong's New Constitutional Order: The Resumption of Chinese Sovereignty and the Basic Law''], Yash Ghai, Hong Kong University Press, 1997, page 167</ref>
During the [[Sino-British Joint Declaration#Background|negotiations]] between Britain and China on the future of Hong Kong, the British proposed the establishment of a "British commissioner" following [[Handover of Hong Kong|transfer of sovereignty]] to China.<ref name="fmprc">[http://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/ziliao_665539/3602_665543/3604_665547/t18032.shtml The Chinese government resumed exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong], [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China|Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], People's Republic of China</ref> Some of the diplomatic representatives of [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] countries in Hong Kong were already known as "commissioners".<ref name="HK$D">[https://books.google.com/books?id=Cse2AAAAIAAJ&q=st.+lucia ''Hong Kong $ Directory''], Local Printing Press, 1987, page 32</ref> This was rejected by the Chinese as an attempt to make the future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region into a member or associated member of the Commonwealth.<ref name="fmprc" />
However, the United Kingdom's commercial interests were represented by the '''British Trade Commission'''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=QhVWl7-NcY8C&dq=british+%22senior+trade+commissioner%22+to+Hong+Kong&pg=PA417 ''Hunting with the Tigers: Doing Business with Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam''], Claudia Cragg, Pfeiffer & Company, 1993, page 417</ref> The last senior trade commissioner (1993-1997), [[Francis Cornish (diplomat)|Francis Cornish]], became the first British consul general following the transfer of sovereignty to China, on 1 July 1997.<ref>[http://www.info.gov.hk/isd/news/oct97/1022pm.htm Chief Executive holds 'useful, cordial' talks with British Prime Minister], Government of Hong Kong, 22 October 1997</ref>
The consulate general was designed by British architects [[Farrells|Terry Farrell and Partners]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.architecture.com/explore-architecture|title=Explore Architecture|website=www.architecture.com}}</ref> Opened by [[Anne, Princess Royal|Princess Anne]] on 30 January 1997, it was a [[HK$]]290&nbsp;million project, with the [[British Council]] in an adjoining building opened in December that year.<ref>[http://www.scmp.com/article/183652 Francis Cornish], ''[[South China Morning Post]]'', 31 January 1997</ref>
The consul general has resided at a rented flat at [[Opus Hong Kong]] since 2013.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/hongkong/10108703/Britains-Hong-Kong-Consul-General-in-35-million-flat.html Britain's Hong Kong Consul General in £35 million flat], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', 9 June 2013</ref>
==List of HM consuls general==
List of HM consuls general in Hong Kong:
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{| class="wikitable"
!
!Name
!Tenure began
!Tenure ended
!Tenure length
!Date of birth (and age)<br />''when published''
!Prior Role
!Subsequent Role
|-
|1
|[[Francis Cornish (diplomat)|Francis Cornish]]<br /><small>([[:zh:鄺富劭|zh]])</small>||July 1997||November 1997
|{{age in years and months|1997|7|1|1997|11|1}}||{{birth date and age|df=y|1942|5|18}}
|Senior Trade Commissioner to Hong Kong
|Head of [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office|FCDO]] News Department
|-
|2
| [[Robert Andrew Burns|Sir Andrew Burns]]<br /><small>([[:zh:貝恩德|zh]])</small>||November 1997||June 2000
|{{age in years and months|1997|11|1|2000|6|1}}||{{birth date and age|df=y|1943|7|21}}
|[[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|Deputy Under Secretary of State]]
|[[British High Commissioner to Canada]]
|-
|3
| [[James Hodge (diplomat)|Sir James Hodge]]<br /><small>([[:zh:何進 (英國外交官)|zh]])</small>||June 2000||November 2003
|{{age in years and months|2000|6|1|2003|11|1}}||{{birth date and age|df=y|1943|12|24}}
|[[List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Thailand|British Ambassador to Thailand]]
|''Retired from Diplomatic Service''
|-
|4
|[[Stephen Bradley (diplomat)|Stephen Bradley]]<br /><small>([[:zh:柏聖文|zh]])</small>||November 2003||March 2008
|{{age in years and months|2003|11|1|2008|3|1}}||{{birth date and age|df=y|1958|4|4}}
|[[Embassy of the United Kingdom, Beijing|Minister, Deputy Head of Mission & Consul General to Beijing, China]]
|''Retired from Diplomatic Service''
|-
|5
| Andrew Seaton<br /><small>([[:zh:奚安竹|zh]])</small>||March 2008||September 2012
|{{age in years and months|2008|3|1|2012|9|1}}||{{birth date and age|df=y|1954|4|20}}
|Consul General to Chicago, USA
|''Retired from Diplomatic Service''
|-
|6
|[[Caroline Wilson (diplomat)|Caroline Wilson]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/people/caroline-wilson|title=Caroline Wilson CMG - GOV.UK|website=www.gov.uk}}</ref><br /><small>([[:zh:吳若蘭|zh]])</small>||September 2012 ||September 2016
|{{age in years and months|2012|9|1|2016|9|1}}||{{birth date and age|1970|8|12|df=y}}
|[[Embassy of the United Kingdom in Moscow|Minister Counsellor to Moscow, Russia]]
|Europe Director at the [[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office|FCDO]]
[[List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to China|British Ambassador to China]]
|-
|7
|Andrew Heyn<br><small>([[:zh:賀恩德|zh]])</small><br />||September 2016||December 2020
|{{age in years and months|2016|9|1|2020|12|1}}||{{birth date and age|1962|1|14|df=y}}
|[[Cabinet Office|Director, Leadership, Governance & Diversity Strategy at the Cabinet Office]]
|''Retired from Diplomatic Service''
|-
|–
|Tamsin Heath (acting)
|December 2020
|July 2021
|{{age in years and months|2020|12|1|2021|7|1}}
|
|Deputy Consul General to Hong Kong
|Deputy Consul General to Hong Kong
|-
|8
|[[Brian Davidson]]<br><small>([[:zh:戴偉紳|zh]])</small>
|July 2021
|''Incumbent''
|{{age in years and months|2021|7|1|||}}
|{{birth date and age|1964|4|28|df=y}}
|[[List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Thailand|British Ambassador to Thailand]]
|
|}
==See also==
*[[List of diplomatic missions of the United Kingdom]]
*[[Consular missions in Hong Kong]]
*[[Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London|Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office]], London
*[[Hong Kong–United Kingdom relations]]
*[[Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office|Foreign Office]] and [[Colonial Office]]
*[[Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and Macao]]
*[[Consulate General of the United States, Hong Kong and Macau]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
{{Portal|Hong Kong|United Kingdom|Politics}}
{{Commons category|British Consulate-General, Hong Kong}}
* {{Official website|https://www.gov.uk/government/world/hong-kong}}
{{Central and Western District}}
{{UK diplomatic missions}}
{{Consular missions in Hong Kong}}
{{Lists of heads of UK diplomatic missions}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1996]]
[[Category:Diplomatic missions of the United Kingdom|Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Diplomatic missions in Hong Kong|United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Hong Kong–United Kingdom relations|Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Hong Kong and the Commonwealth of Nations]]