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requirements for a customs territory to be deemed to be a Con-
tracting Party as prescribed by GATT Article XXVI 5 (C), and
declare that in accordance with the provisions of Article XXVI 5 (C) of the said Agreement and the wishes of Hong Kong, Hong Kong will, with effect from the date of this communication, be
deemed to be a Contracting Party to the Agreement.
in its declaration refer to
The Chinese Government will,
the provision that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
will decide on its own its economic and trade policies and the
other afore-going provisions of the Sino-Britich Joint Declara-
tion, and declare that with effect from 1 July 1997, the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region will meet the requirements
for a customs territory to be deemed to be a Contracting Party
prescribed in GATT Article XXVI 5 (C), and therefore may,
using the name of Hong Kong, China ", continue to be deemed
a Contracting Party to the General Agreement on Tarriffs and
as
Trade.
"
The Chinese and British Governments are convinced that
this procedure is in full accord with the relevant provisions
of the General Agreement. This has been informally confirmed
by the Secretariat of the GATT.
Bearing in mind the friendly relations existing between
Our two countries, the Chinese Government wishes to inform
your Government in advance of the actions soon to be taken by
the Chinese and British Governments in the hope of having your Government's understanding.