CONFIDENTIAL
37891
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A DE FACTO SITUATION THAT HAD ALREADY EXISTED FOR SOME TIME.
4.
IF COUNCIL MEMBERS ASK TO SEE THE INSTRUMENT OF ENTRUSTMENT YOU SHOULD OFFER NO COMMITMENT BUT UNDERTAKE TO REPORT THEIR REQUEST. AS YOU ARE AWARE, THE ENTRUSTMENT WAS
THE DRAFTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT COULD BE SHOWN TO THE CHINESE, GATT, OR HONG KONG'S TRADE PARTNERS IF NECESSARY: BUT WE HAVE NOT SO FAR HAD TO MAKE SUCH USE OF IT.
5.
WE SUGGEST THAT YOU TOUCH BASE WITH YOUR CHINESE COLLEAGUE BEFORE THE COUNCIL TO ENSURE THAT HE IS SIMILARLY READY TO CONFIRM THAT THE HONG KONG SAR WILL ENJOY COMMERCIAL AUTONOMY. (HE WILL NO DOUBT WANT TO USE THE LANGUAGE THE CHINESE HAVE ALREADY USED IN THEIR DECLARATION.) WE ASSUME THAT THE CHINESE TOO WILL LET THE SECRETARIAT TAKE THE LEAD IN REPLYING TO
QUESTIONS REGARDING GATT PRACTICE.
HOWE
OCMIAN 7891
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
Confidential
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