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and international relations more generally in Section IX.
In particular the third paragraph of Section VI provides
that:
It may
"The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall
be a separate customs territory.
participate in relevant international
organisations and international trade agreements
(including preferential trade arrangements)
such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade
and arrangements regarding international trade
in textiles.".
Annex II to the Declaration establishes a Sino British Joint
Liaison Group (JLG) whose functions are to consult on the
implementation of the Declaration. One specific matter
committed to the JLG is:
"action to be taken by the two Governments to
enable the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region to maintain its economic relations as a
separate customs territory, and in particular to
ensure the maintenance of Hong Kong's participation
in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade,
the Multifibre Agreement and other international
agreements" (para 4 (a) of Annex II).
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/The