Exclusive | Beijing conducts ‘rare’ survey among consulates in Hong Kong to uncover any hurdles

Beijing’s foreign ministry’s arm in Hong Kong is conducting a “rare” survey among diplomats in the city to find out whether they have faced obstacles reaching local and mainland Chinese authorities, the Post has learned.

One European diplomat described the outreach as part of a “style change” by the Beijing office that involved closer supervision of the local government’s engagement with envoys.

Sources said Cui Jianchun, the commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong, recently sent out the survey and a letter to all diplomatic missions in the city, after already meeting with most of the consuls general.

In the letter, which was seen by the Post, Cui said his office had “consolidated the basis of collaborations, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and high-level visits” with the consulates and invited them to complete the survey.

“To make plans for 2025 and realise mutual benefits, I am willing to get the knowledge of your considerations and demands, so as to offer assistance as much as I can,” he wrote.

Described by the diplomatic community as a “rare practice”, the survey asks foreign missions to check the boxes if they have encountered obstacles in getting appointments with Hong Kong or central government officials.