*
89
H
OMMING.ENER
- 4 NOV 1974
189.
DAILY REVIEW OF BUSINESS TOPICS IN THE CHINESE PRESS
Issued by the Commerce and Industry Department
Issue Number? 224
Date : 1st November
Action/Interest
1.1
1974
COMMENT ON TRADE TALKS IN LONDON + A feature article in Hong Kong Economic Journal commented that Mr Jordan, Director of Commerce and Industry, spoke in a bureaucratic manner with reporters at the airport after his return from London. The writer suggested that Hong Kong itself should mount negotiations rather than rely on Britain which is unable even to care for her own affairs. While theoretically Hong Kong is a British colony, it has a certain degree of independence. Apart from being a member of the GATT, it is also member of the newly-formed textile surveillance body. In spite of its peculiar position, to engage in international negotiations is not beyond Hong Kong's capacity. Under the present circumstances, Hong Kong not only could but simply has to look after its trading affairs itself. Unfortunately, our government has abandoned this right. As an industrial city depending on trade, commercial relations with foreign countries are of paramount importance.
The Hong Kong Government's passive attitude that things are impossible should call for a fresh re-examination. Meanwhile, Sing Tao Jih Pao comments on Mr Jordan's remark that Britain is only one of the nine EEC members and cannot guarantee success. An editorial says that this should be viewed from two points of view. From one point of view, cight members can veto the bill of one member. From another point of view, one member can also veto a bill which has been passed by eight members. For in the EEC, any bill of importance must have the consent of all its members before it can become effective. In short, if Britain is determined to fight for preference treatment for Hong Kong, it has the power to do so. For example, if France asks to raise the selling prices of its agricultural products or to give more allowance to its farmers, then Britain can in exchange ask for proference treatment for Hong Kong products as a condition. If Hong Kong products are not entitled for preference, then French farmers should not have special treatment. For as the French people are ruled directly by the French Government, the people of Hong Kong are also ruled directly by the British. Government. The French people should be protected by the French Government, and so Hong Kong people should be protected by the British Government. If the British Government does not adopt this standpoint, then all the promisos made by the members of Parliament and the British officials to the commercial and industrial circles of Hong Kong are void of sincerity. In that case has not the Director, Mr Jordan, laboured in vian in making his recent visit to Britain?
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/P.
2
RE
D
DDCR
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