Hong Kong–Malaysia relations by the Hong Kong Trade and Development Council in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia did not establish diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China until 31 May 1974. Malaysia has a Consulate General in Wan Chai. This was established on 2 July 1971. As Hong Kong was then under British rule, this was then known as a Commission, as were the missions of some other Commonwealth countries. Following the transfer of sovereignty in 1997, the Commission was renamed the Consulate General, and the last Commissioner became Consul-General. In 2010, Malaysia became the 10th largest trading partner for Hong Kong with the
Consular missions in Hong Kong transfer of sovereignty, North Korea, which had not been allowed to establish a trade mission in Hong Kong during British rule, was able to open a Consulate-General in February 2000. Similarly, Iran was also able to re-establish its Consulate-General, giving rise to concerns that the country could gain access to arms smuggled through Hong Kong, a free port. This had been closed by the British Government in 1989 following the Rushdie Affair. Bhutan, which did not have diplomatic relations with either Beijing or Taipei at the time of the transfer of sovereignty, was able to maintain an honorary consulate in