CONFIDENTIAL
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PRACTICAL ARRANGEMENTS TO ENABLE HONG KONG TO MAKE A SMOOTH
TRANSITION FROM DEPENDENT TERRITORY TO SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE
REGION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
JOINT DECLARATION. THE GROUP'S PRINCIPAL ACHIEVEMENTS IN THIS
PERIOD HAVE BEEN:
(I) AGREEMENT THAT HONG KONG SHOULD BE DEEMED A SEPARATE
CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND
TRADE AND SHOULD CONTINUE IN THAT STATUS AFTER 1997 IN
THE NAME OF 'HONG KONG, CHINA'. HONG KONG DULY BECAME
THE GATT'S 91ST CONTRACTING PARTY ON 23 APRIL 1986.
(II) AGREEMENT ON TRANSITIONAL MEASURES RELATING TO THE
TRAVEL AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTS ISSUED TO HONG KONG
RESIDENTS, TO AVOID ANY DISRUPTION IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA
ON 1 JULY 1997.
(III) AGREEMENT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STANDING
SUB-GROUP OF EXPERTS TO CONSIDER THE QUESTION OF THE
CONTINUED APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS AND
OBLIGATIONS AFFECTING HONG KONG. THE SUB-GROUP HAS ITS
PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG AND IT HELD ITS FIRST MEETING
FROM 15 TO 17 OCTOBER 1986.
(IV) AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF
A SEPARATE HONG KONG REGISTER OF SHIPPING WHICH CAN BE
MAINTAINED BEYOND 1997. NECESSARY WORK TO PUT THIS INTO
EFFECT IS NOW GOING ON IN HONG KONG.
(V) AGREEMENT ON THE PRINCIPLES FOR THE CONCLUSION OF
SEPARATE AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND ITS
AVIATION PARTNERS, WHICH ARE CAPABLE OF REMAINING IN
FORCE AFTER 1997. THE FIRST SUCH AIR SERVICE AGREEMENT
WAS SIGNED BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE
GOVERNMENT OF THE NETHERLANDS IN THE HAGUE ON 17
SEPTEMBER.
NEGOTIATION OF OTHER HONG KONG AIR SERVICE
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