CODE 18-77
SS 8/78
113
Miss Lambert ECD(E)
E 124
i
Reference
No
THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND HONG KONG
HKK 022/2
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Ник
022/2
# #PARR, MO.
CAST
MAR
CGE
1713
Play 17/3
1. We spoke.
If further clarification is needed, the following passage could replace the amendment suggested in my minute of 16 March:
1
Paragraph 4: After (headed by the Governor)' to read:
2.
'Because Hong Kong is a Dependent Territory there is no place for British diplomatic representation as such. However, since Hong Kong is a major market for British goods and services, there is a need for a British commercial presence in Hong Kong. Thus, the functions which the British Trade Commissioner performs, and indeed the only functions which he is allowed to perform, are those of
pure trade promotion; because of the constitutional position, it would not be appropriate for him to engage in commercial diplomatic activity
•
I attach, for your information, a copy of the draft directive to the British Trade Commissioner, and a copy of the section of our General Brief on Hong Kong dealing with the constitutional background.
C G Edgar
17 March 1982
Hong Kong and General Department K 242
233 4828