RDIAH J
(43.
BACKGROUND
CONFIDENTIAL
1.
Hong Kong at present participates in the GATT as a separate customs territory represented within the UK delegation
the UK delegation but speaking
separately. It is essential for Hong Kong's continued prosperity
way a
should be found for the territory to continue to enjoy
It its present privileged position in the GATT after 1997.
is also
continued commercial confidence
the in Hong Kong in
should be made for this well before
that
for essential
meantime that
arrangements
1997.
2.
Section VI of Annex I to the Sino-British Joint Declaration provides for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region after 1997 to be a separate customs territory and to participate in international organisations including,
the specifically,
relevant
GATT.
Annex II to the Joint Declaration provides in paragraph 4 that the Joint Liaison Group shall, during the first half of the period
1984-1997, consider action to be taken by the two Governments to enable the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to maintain its
economic relations as
and in territory,
particular to ensure maintenance of Hong Kong's participation in the
GATT.
a
customs separate
Redacted under FOI exemption section 27 (1)
Discussion
3.
this with on
and second meetings of the JLG.
the Chinese duly began at the
first
CONFIDENTIAL