Confidential
GRS 450 CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO IMMEDIATE FCO
TELNO 1146
OF 180645Z APRIL 86
INFO IMMEDIATE PEKING, UKMIS GENEVA
1
TOP COPY
HKR/22/1
RECEIVEL.
1 8 APR 1986
UKMIS GENEVA PLEASE PASS COPY TO CARTLAND
INDEX
тата
MIPT: HONG KONG AND GATT : PRESS RELEASE
''FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HMG HAS FORMALLY INFORMED THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE GATT THAT HONG KONG POSSESSES FULL AUTONOMY IN THE CONDUCT OF ITS EXTERNAL COMMERCIAL RELATIONS AND OF THE OTHER MATTERS PROVIDED FOR IN THE GATT, AND THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PRC HAS MADE A PARALLEL DECLARATION ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE HONG KONG SAR AFTER 1 JULY 1997, HONG KONG WILL HENCEFORTH ASSUME THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF A CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT IN ITS OWN RIGHT.
A CUSTOMS TERRITORY TO BE
2. THE DECLARATION OF THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT MAKES CLEAR THAT AS FROM 1 JULY 1997 THE HONG KONG SAR WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACTING PARTY AS PRESCRIBED IN GATT ARTICLE XCVI (5)(C), AND THEREFORE MAY, USING THE NAME 'HONG KONG, CHINA', CONTINUE TO BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT.
3. WITH THESE DECLARATIONS THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS HAVE TAKEN THE NECESSARY CONCRETE STEPS ENVISAGED IN PARAGRAPH 4(A) OF ANNEX 1 TO THE JOINT DECLARATION TO ENSURE THE MAINTENANCE OF THE HONG KONG SAR'S PARTICIPATION IN THE GATT AND THE MEA.
4. 'THIS IS A MOST PRACTICAL WAY OF ENSURING HONG KONG'S AND THE FUTURE SAR'S CONTINUING STABILITY AND PROSPERITY.' SAID MR. ERCI HO, SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY.
5. 'AS HONG KONG HAS FOR SOME YEARS BEEN PLAYING AN AUTONOMOUS ROLE IN THE GATT AND THE MFA FROM WITHIN THE BRITISH DELEGATION THERE WILL BE LITTLE VARIATION OF SUBSTANCE IN FUTURE ROLE ON BEING DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACTING PARTY TO THE GATT. ONE CHANGE IS THAT HONG KONG REPRESENTATIVES WILL NOW SPEAK IN HONG KONG'S NAME, RATHER THAN AS 'THE UNITED KINGDOM SPEAKING FOR HONG KONG'. WITH THIS NEW STATUS, WE SHALL, OF COURSE, CONTINUE TO PLAY OUR FULL PART IN SUPPORT OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES AND PURPOSES OF THE GATT AND IN DEFENCE OF HONG KONG'S RIGHTS THEREUNDER. THE ONLY OTHER DIFFERENCE WILL BE THAT WE SHALL HAVE TO PAY OUR SHAPE OF THE GATT BUDGET, ESTIMATED TO BE ABOUT SWISS FRANCS 900,000 PER ANNUM, WHICH UP TILL NOW HAS BEEN PART OF THE UK'S CONTRIBUTION AND BORNE OUT OF UK FUNDS.' MR. HO ADDED.
Confidential
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