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Consular protection is the act of diplomatic or consular organs or officers in protecting the national interests and legitimate rights of citizens or legal persons in another country within the limits permitted by international law. When the legitimate rights and interests of a Chinese citizen or legal person are illegally violated in another country, the Chinese diplomatic or consular mission there will, in accordance with customary international law principles, relevant international conventions, bilateral treaties or agreements and the relevant laws of China and the other country, reflect the citizen or legal person's request and urge the related authorities of the other country to handle the issue in a fair, friendly and proper way.

Consular protection also includes assistance rendered by Chinese diplomatic or consular missions to Chinese citizens or legal persons, such as providing information on international travel safety, assisting in employing lawyers and translators, visiting detainees and assisting in evacuating from dangerous places, etc.

A Hong Kong resident who is a Chinese citizen is in need of assistance while abroad, the diplomatic and consular missions of the People's Republic of China can:

• Notify his/her family of the incident or casualty if an accident has happened to the Hong Kong resident.
• Issue travel documents or home-bound documents if he/she has no travel documents or has lost them.
• Accept the application and provide a place of collection for a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport or Document of Identity for Visa Purposes if he/she is eligible.
• Visit the Hong Kong resident at his/her request when he/she is under detention, arrest or sentence.
• Recommend lawyers, translators or doctors to assist the Hong Kong resident in legal proceedings or in seeking medical treatment.
• Assist the Hong Kong resident in contacting his/her family when he/she is in financial difficulty for timely and necessary financial assistance.
• Provide advice and necessary assistance for evacuation from dangerous areas in case an unexpected incident takes place.
• Assist to locate the Hong Kong resident who may be in distress or custody.
• Provide notarial and authentication services for Hong Kong resident in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China and international treaties, and handle registration of marriages between Chinese citizens provided that the registration does not contravene the laws and regulations of the host country.

Chinese diplomatic or consular missions cannot:

• Intervene in the judicial or administrative acts of the host country.
• Partake in the arbitration or settlement of economic, labour and other civil disputes between the Hong Kong resident and others.
• Obtain treatment better than what is given to local people when the Hong Kong resident is in hospital, in detention or in prison.
• Pay for lawyer's fees, translator's costs, hotel, medical and travel (air/sea/land travel tickets) expenses for the Hong Kong resident, or any other expenses.
• Apply for a visa for the Hong Kong resident.
• Institute legal proceedings for the Hong Kong resident.

While travelling abroad, Hong Kong residents may meet a number of unexpected circumstances. This section provides information on scenarios they might encounter, and what they should do in them.

Respecting the law

Chinese citizens outside Chinese territory should obey the laws and regulations of the countries they are in, and respect the local customs and practices. They should strictly adhere to the permitted limit of stay granted by the country concerned as specified in their visa or permit of residence.

Stolen Property

If any of his/her property is stolen, the Hong Kong residents should immediately report the theft to the local police and request a copy of the police report. He/she may also contact the Chinese diplomatic or consular mission in the country so that money can be remitted to him/her by his/her family through the diplomatic or consular mission, or transferred to him/her via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Detention or Imprisonment

If a Hong Kong resident commits an offence in another country, he/she must bear the legal consequences. If being arrested or detained for any charge of offence, he/she has the right to request the authorities concerned to meet the consular officers of the Chinese diplomatic or consular mission.

Serious accidents or casualties

In case of serious accidents or casualties for whatever cause happening to the relatives and friends or companions of Hong Kong residents overseas, report should be made to the local police authorities immediately. If further assistance is needed, the parties concerned may contact the Immigration Department and Chinese diplomatic or consular mission in that state.

In case Hong Kong residents are seriously injured or deceased outside Hong Kong because of accidents or natural disasters, and require financial or welfare assistance, the Hong Kong Immigration Department may assist them or their family members to refer the cases to relevant Departments, including the Home Affairs Department. For more information, please refer to the relevant website at the following link: https://www.hab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/District_Community_and_Public_Relations/trustfnd.htm#generalchinese

Death

If Hong Kong resident dies abroad, the Chinese diplomatic or consular mission in the country concerned may, at request, authenticate the death certificate issued by the local authorities. The diplomatic or consular mission may also provide a list of companies engaging in funeral services.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China provides comprehensive lists of its missions overseas. The following link will lead to information on Chinese diplomatic or consular missions.

Embassy, consulate, mission and representative office lists

When seeking consular protection or services, please pay attention to the following points:

• Consular officers must not exceed the terms of reference for consular duties in providing consular protection and services to Chinese citizens.
• Relevant provisions lay down that fees are required for some consular services, such as the processing of various documents.
• If Hong Kong residents are seeking consular protection and services while overseas, they may make enquiries with local government officials or police for the addresses and telephone numbers of diplomatic representatives and consular organs of the People's Republic of China at that place. They may also make enquiries through the Immigration Department assistance hotline at (852) 1868.
• To provide timely and professional guidance and assistance to Chinese citizens in distress overseas, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (MFA) has set up the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services since 2 September 2014 and launched a 24-hour hotline (telephone number: (8610) 12308). The MFA emergency call center will, according to the actual situation and needs, refer assistance requests from Hong Kong residents to the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department for follow-up. For detailed information, please refer to the MFA website: www.fmprc.gov.cn.
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China is responsible for the explanation of consular protection and services.

More information on consular protection and services is available through the following links

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong

Form ID907: Guide to Consular Services and Protection Outside Chinese Territory