HKC031/12
RECEIVE
15
0 2 JAN 1991
DESK C
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
14 December 1990
INDEX
Ms Rosemary Miller
Customs Division F
Branch 1
Dorset House
Stamford Street
London SE1 9PS
London SWIA 2AH
Telephone: 071-
See HKC 031/1 1991. € (2
Dear Rosemary
HONG KONG: CUSTOMS TREATIES
1.
32,36
7
You will recall our earlier correspondence on the subject of the application to Hong Kong after 1997 of various Customs Conventions (details are annexed to this letter).
We have now formally approached the Chinese and handed over the papers describing the Conventions, some of which you saw in draft. The Chinese have returned with a series of questions (Hong Kong telno 3688, attached) to which we have undertaken to reply. We have sent a preliminary response to
2.
(76)
///
ᄏᄏ
Hong Kong (FCO telno 2365, attached) but would be most grateful for any advice which you may be able to offer in answering these questions.
3.
Regarding the questions in paragraph 1 of the Hong Kong telegram, we wonder whether we might refer the Chinese to the UN Compilation of Multilateral Treaties to answer the questions on amendments and parties. I should be grateful if you could advise whether the Customs Cooperation Council publishes a similar Compilation in respect of those treaties deposited in Brussels, and if so, how we might obtain a copy. Your records may also answer the question of whether conferences have been held in accordance with the Conventions.
4.
On paragraph 2, most of the questions are clearly for the Hong Kong Government to address. You may, however, have some information on the question of internal procedures of the UK for the application to Hong Kong of the Conventions which might supplement the information we have already provided. should also be most grateful for any comments or material you might be able to provide on the question of how the UK handles "matters involving acts of sovereign state" with respect to the application to Hong Kong of the Conventions.
I
PATACU
RESTRICTED covering CONFIDENTIAL
78