དམ་་
CONFIDENTIAL
BRIEF
HONG KONG'S RELATIONSHIT WITH THE EEC AND THE GATT
The inclusion of Hong Kong in the ELC Generalised
Preference Scheme is an important concession to
Hong Kong. Detailed discussions are yet to take
place on the alignment of the UK's scheme with that
of the EEC. In recent discussion in Hong Kong
Mr Rippon told the Governor that he thought Hong
Kong's representation in Brussels should continue
to be attached to Hi Embassy. It would not be to
the Colony's advantage for this to form part of
the British representation to the Community.
Britain's membership of the Community should
strengthen her hand in opposing restrictive
practices, for example by the French, and prevent-
ing other members of the Community from adopting
them.
There was complete
Hong Kong's future position in the GATT after we
join the EEC was fully discussed by whitehall
officials with the Hong Kong Financial Secretary
and others on 3 October.
agreement that the best practical solution whereby
Hong Kong's special problems could still be aired
in GATT following our accession would be for the
Hong Kong representative to sit as a member of the
UK delegation (as at present) but with a separate
/"UK(Hong Kong)"