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observer. It is understood that China is actively
pursuing the question of its GATT membership and
has indicated on a number of occasions that, as
a founder member, it would be seeking to have
its former membership re-instated. This issue
is likely to come to a head in about two or
three years' time when Contracting Parties would
probably wish to review China's observer status
having regard to their generally held view that
there should be a time limit on such status.
5.
Possible Options for Continued Participation
There are, in essence, three basic
options for Hong Kong's continued participation
in the GATT.
These are :
Option 1
Hong Kong to maintain the status
quo until 1997 when China, as the
metropolitan power, would accept
the GATT in respect of Hong Kong
as a territory for which it has
international responsibility;
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