CONFIDENTIAL
Handed
over (Parton / shory) 74.4592
SPEAKING note
a Refrunki Hais
Nariman Heer Joypar
FRogan Pelning
equi
HKB 102/1
VSO IN REGK
34
In October 1985, the United Kingdom and the People's Republic
of China exchanged notes concerning, inter alia, Hong Kong's
future status in the Asian Development Bank.
It was agreed that Hong Kong would continue its participation
in the ADB after 30 June 1997, using the name "Hong Kong, China”.
In April 1986, the United Kingdom Government accordingly
wrote to the ADB President Masao Fujioka drawing his attention to
the exchange of notes.
In a courtesy call in late March this year by ADB President
Kirimasu Tarumizu on the Financial Secretary in his capacity as
the current Chairman of the ADB Board of Governors, the President
raised the subject of Hong Kong's membership and suggested that
there should be consultation on the matter. President Tarumizu
was evidently uncertain about the position and did not seem to
have been aware of the April 1986 letter to his predecessor
President Fujioka. We now understand that the letter was not
circulated by President Fujioka to the ADB General Counsel's
Office for noting or any further action.