HK 2ACZ
CONFIDENTIAL
SINO-BRITISH JOINT LIAISON GROUP (LS): MEETING 22-25 JULY 1985
HONG KONG'S CONTINUING PARTICIPATION IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON
TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT), THE MULTIFIBRE ARRANGEMENT (MFA) AND THE
CUSTOMS COOPERATION COUNCIL (CCC)
1. The purpose of this paper i s to explain the arrangements which the British side believe would secure the best possible basis for
Hong Kong's continuing participation in:
(i)
the GATT;
(ii) the MFA; and
(iii) the CCC
up to and after 1997.
1/KK 0+0/24
RECET
23 JUL 1985
10
The British side suggest that these inter-related
considered together.
* faken
matters
be
HONG KONG AND THE GATT
through which it enjoys
2. Hong Kong's participation in the GATT,
most favoured
favoured nation rights of access for its goods has been a key
element in its success as an exporter. During the Sino-British
future of Hong Kong, the British and Chinese sides
agreed that arrangements would
arrangements would need to be made to ensure that Hong
Kong could continue to be effectively represented
and its views
effectively expressed within the GATT.
talks
3.
the on
a
on
As
reflection of this, Section
Annex VI of
I to the
Sino-British Joint Declaration
the question of Hong Kong makes
provision for the future Hong Kong Special
Special Administrative Region
(SAR) to be a separate customs territory. It also provides for the
SAR to participate in relevant international organisations and international trade agreements (including preferential trade
arrangements), such as the GATT and arrangements regarding
international trade in textiles.
4. Paragraph 4 of Annex II to the Joint Declaration states that
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