The
The fact that HK will become part of a developing country Party will make less difference than under the other two treaties. Since most of the obligations do not differentiate between developed and developing countries, but apply to each party "as far as possible", "as appropriate", etc., the measures which need to be taken in HK to comply with the Convention will not change much, if at all, after 1997. main question will be whether HKG should continue to make any financial contribution made towards the UK's efforts under Articles 20-21. China is, I imagine, unlikely to be willing to commit HK to giving financial resources. Again, it may be that if HK's contribution were to take the form of some kind of bilateral assistance to China and/or elsewhere, this could continue.
17. Has HKG indicated whether they are interested in having the UK's ratification extended to them? (assuming of course that we do ratify). Have they considered whether any new legislation would be required?
18. I apologise for the length of this minute. I hope this helps clarify the position somewhat, but as indicated above (and since 1991!) the main input on these issues needs to come from the policy side (mainly DoE, ODA and HKG) before we can progress much further.
Will Baut
Jill Barrett
TOTAL P 05