Chinese consulate

A consulate is an office of a country within another country, and often there are several that are located in the larger commercial cities. These offices issue passports and offer legal assistance to its citizens, as well as issue visas to foreigners. They also have a role in aiding individual companies to invest and to import and export goods and services. Although it is never admitted publicly, consulates are responsible for gathering intelligence information from the assigned country. In many countries the embassy and consulate general are combined in one office or structure. Yet while an embassy implies official diplomatic relations, a consulate is in charge of issues related to individual people and businesses.

Consular premises used exclusively for the work of the consular post cannot be entered without explicit permission of the head of the consular post or his designee or by the head of the diplomatic mission. This permission may be assumed in the case of fire or other disaster requiring prompt protective action. Consulate staff do not enjoy full diplomatic immunity at all times. Their immunity is limited to times when they are actively carrying out their duties.