CONFIDENTIAL
5. Although China stands to derive substantial economic
benefit from the maintenance of the constitutional status quo
of the Colony, there is no reason to suppose that the local
communists in Hong Kong will not continue indefinitely in their
efforts to undermine the authority of the Hong Kong Government
and to win over the general public to their own side.
6.
We expect that our improved relations with China culminating
in the exchange of Ambassadors will be of benefit to Hong Kong.
FRENCH IMPORT RESTRICTIONS ON GOODS IMPORTED FROM HONG KONG
7.
Hong Kong maintains an open-door policy for imports of
French as well as other foreign products. Hong Kong take the
view that the French quota restrictions cannot be subject to
negotiation (because this would give them an air of legality).
France maintains, unilaterally, restrictions contrary to the
provisions of the GATT on imports of certain goods from Hong
Kong and also restricts goods from a wider range of sources.
8. The French Journal Official of 6 September 1970 published
a summary of all goods subject to quantitative restrictions
when imported into France from all sources. The up-dated
list notes restrictions on the following types of goods from
the group of countries which includes Great Britain and her
dependencies (eg Hong Kong):
Certain live animals, animal and vegetable products, prepared foodstuffs
Certain mineral products and products of the chemical and allied industries
3.
CONFIDENTIAL
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