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SECRETARIAT.
8. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HOPE THAT THESE DECLARATIONS WILL
MEET WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF ALL CONTRACTING PARTIES. THERE
WAS WIDESPREAD INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE JOINT DECLARATION
AND THE PROVISION FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE, INCLUDING THE ABILITY
OF THE HONG KONG SAR TO DECIDE ITS OWN ECONOMIC AND TRADE
POLICIES. WE HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE A SIMILAR DEGREE OF
UNDERSTANDING FOR THE JOINT ACTION BY THE BRITISH AND CHINESE
GOVERNMENTS TO GIVE THESE PROVISIONS PRACTICAL EFFECT.
9.
HONG KONG PLAYS AN IMPORTANT AND POSITIVE ROLE IN THE WORLD
TRADING SYSTEM. IT IS COMMITTED TO FREE TRADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF THE GATT. IT IS IN THE INTERESTS
OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE THAT IT SHOULD BE ABLE
TO CONTINUE PLAYING ITS PRESENT ROLE. WE WOULD EXPECT
CONTRACTING PARTIES TO WELCOME ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE INTENDED TO
ENSURE THIS, WITHIN THE PROCEDURES LAID DOWN BY THE GATT.
HOWE
HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED
LIMITED
HD/HKD
HD/FED
COPIES TO:
MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS
RESEARCH D (FE)
DEP/HD PUSD
PS/MR RENTON MR WILSON
3.
RESTRICTED