The Consular Relations (Privileges and Immunities) (People's Republic of China) Order 1984

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This Order, which is made pursuant to the Consular Relations Act 1968, provides, with respect to consular posts of the People's Republic of China and persons connected with them, for according privileges and immunities additional to those accorded by Schedule 1 to the Act, namely—

(i) diplomatic protection for consular officers;

(ii) exemption from liability to arrest pending trial, diplomatic immunity from criminal jurisdiction and exemption from liability to measures of execution for certain members of a consular post and members of their families forming part of their households;

(iii) immunity from civil and administrative jurisdiction in respect of acts performed in the exercise of consular functions for certain members of the service staff of a consular post;

(iv) an exemption from the duty to give evidence for certain members of the families of consular officers, and an exemption from the duty to give certain types of evidence for certain persons who would otherwise not be entitled to it on account of their nationality of, or permanent residence in, the United Kingdom;

(v) diplomatic inviolability for consular premises and residences of consular officers.

It gives effect to the relevant provisions of the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the Establishment of a British Consulate-General at Shanghai and a Chinese Consulate-General at Manchester (Cmnd. 9247).