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INSPECTION OF POSTS IN THE USA
WASHINGTON
REQUIREMENTS OF HONG KONG DEPARTMENT
A. INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT: (US SUPPORT FOR BRITISH POLICY ON
HONG KONG)
MAIN REQUIREMENTS (ESSENTIAL)
1.
Reporting/assessment as necessary on attitudes of US Administration/Congress toward British policy in Hong Kong. Lobbying (up to Ambassador level) to secure US support. Examples include lobbying for: i) right of abode for HK people (which resulted in specific measures in the 1991 US Immigration Act); and ii) US support for the Governor of Hong Kong's recent proposals on constitutional development.
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Requirements unlikely to be wholly removed, even after the handover of Sovereignty to China in 1997.
2.
B. CHINA'S MOST FAVOURED NATION STATUS (MFN) AND OTHER
US/CHINA TRADE ISSUES.
MAIN REQUIREMENTS (ESSENTIAL)
3. Regular and rapid reporting/assessements during the build-up phase to the annual renewal of MFN for China, and regular reporting throughout the remainder of the period on any threats to MFN, eg major speeches, congressional bills, etc. Lobbying (up to Ambassador level) of the US Administration and on Capitol Hill on behalf of Hong Kong to ensure unconditional renewal of MFN. The reporting requirement also applies to other US/China trade issues which have the potential to cause damage to Hong Kong's economic prosperity and stability.
DEVELOPMENTS
4.
Unless the present arrangements for renewing China's MFN status are altered these requirements are unlikely to change until July 1997, when Hong Kong reverts to China. Even then the need for the reporting requirement may well continue.
insp.wash JM
C. US/HONG KONG POLICY ACT 1992 (THE MCCONNELL ACT)
MAIN REQUIREMENTS (ESSENTIAL)
5.
Regular reporting on developments in line with the new Act. The first of these is likely to be a Congressional Report, due by the end of March 1993 "on conditions in Hong Kong of interest to the United States". Lobbying as and when necessary (up to Ambassador level) to try to ensure that the
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