CONFIDENTIAL
IMMEDIATE
amiss if the first they learned of this proposal was through
their participation in the CCC. We consider therefore that we
should take an early opportunity to approach the Chinese to
you? explain Hong Kong's wish to accede to these conventions, the
problems this raises in relation to the current requirement that
only quote states members ungete may accede, and how the CCC
think they might deal with it. (We would also need to make it
elear to the Chinese that consultation under the guidelines in
the application to Hong Kong of any CCC conventions would be for a later stage). We are considering with Legal Advisers whether
the CCC approach would in fact be permitted under their
constitution.
now
3. We have not yet made it clear to the CCC that we see a need
to consult the Chinese on their proposal. The main difficulty is
The CCC, having received your application concerning these
conventions, feel under some pressure to consider the matter at the next policy meeting on 9 Decmeber, for which papers would be
circulated in advance, probably next week. We should be grateful
therefore for your urgent comments on the proposal to speak to
the Chinese along the lines of para 2 above. If you and Peking
agree that we should do so, it would be helpful if you could let
the CCC know as soon as possible that you see no need for your
as early
Q_d
application to be discussed 9 December. We would then explain
to the CCC why we saw a need to consult the Chinese, on the
grounds that if we and the Chinese are both content with their
proposal it stands a better chance of success.
HOWE
YYYY
HONG KONG AGREEMENT
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