CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FM FCO
TO IMMEDIATE HONG KONG
TELNO 694
OF 221127Z JULY 93
INFO IMMEDIATE UKREP BRUSSELS
INFO ROUTINE PEKING
80
HKD 403/S
PA EC
077463
MDHOAN 5945
23 JU! 1993
r
YOUR TELNO 1187 AND UKREP BRUSSELS TELNO 1732: EC COMMISSION OFFICE IN HONG KONG
1.
We are encouraged by the signs that the Commission may be prepared to show some flexibility in finding pragmatic solutions to the outstanding issues. We understand why some of the items on their list of privileges and immunities are very difficult for Hong Kong, but hope that it may prove possible to approximate some of those available under the Consular Ordinance b administrative measures. We have made clear informally to the Commission that it is completely unrealistic to expect immunities beyond those available under the Consular Ordinance (ie requiring new Hong Kong Legislation).
2.
The Commission's competence for EC external trade matters means that the continuing existence of their Office after 1997 (independent of the Office in Beijing) could be a useful symbol of the right of the Hong Kong SAR under the Joint Declaration to maintain and develop on its own economic and trade relations. We understand Hong Kong's reluctance to raise the status of the EC Office with the Chinese, but hope that it may be possible to find some positive language which leaves the question of the long term future of the Office open.
HURD
YYYY
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