CONFIDENTIAL ##
vis-a-vis the GATT as is likely to happen when
Contracting Parties start to review China's
current observer status in the GATT.
The proposed procedure
11.
Accordingly, the Administration
considers that it would be simplest and safest
to adopt Option 3 and as soon as possible.
This will require an early recommendation to
FCO for submission to Ministers for the following
procedure (derived from the discussions with the
GATT Secretariat referred in para. 9) to be
adopted:
(a)
(b)
a declaration by HMG under
Article XXVI 5(c) of the GATT
stating that Hong Kong possesses full
autonomy in the conduct of its
external commercial relations etc.
and should be deemed to be a full
contracting party : (Hong Kong then
achieves de facto contracting party
status);
a statement from Hong Kong to the
GATT saying it wished to become a
de jure contracting party; and
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