GF 323
CONFIDENTIAL #2
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For decision
on
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EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMORANDUM
THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG'S LINKS WITH THE COMMONWEALTH
PROBLEM
as
part of a
We need to
Hong Kong's formal status
Commonwealth nation will cease in 1997.
consider the future of our Commonwealth links.
RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE SOUGHT
2.
It is recommended that our formal links with the
Commonwealth should be discontinued after 1997. However,
where desirable and practicable, they should be replaced by
alternative links on an informal basis which will serve the
same or similar purposes and which can survive the change
of sovereignty (see paragraph 6 below).
BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT
Background
3.
The Commonwealth
of Nations (the Commonwealth) is
a voluntary association of independent sovereign states
each responsible for its own policies, consulting and co-operating in their common interests and in the promotion
of greater international understanding. The Head of the
Commonwealth is the Queen. The association does not have
any formal charter, treaty or constitution. It exists as a
consultative body for the purpose of mutual assistance.
CONFIDENTIAL
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