TNAG-0044-FCO40-80-Exports-to-the-Benelux-countries-aide-memoires-1967 — Page 12

CONFIDENTIAL

Hong Kong from the application of the

Agreed Minute to the U.K. Overseas Territories -

China is very

for political reasons.

sensible to any indications that we might

be formally conceding an independent status

to Hong Kong • If Hong Kong is treated

differently from other U.K. Overseas Territories Undoubtedly

in this case, it would come to the notice

of China, with possibly serious consequences.

From what I have said, it follows that

amendment of para. 6 of the brief on

paragraph 1 (of the Agreed Minute) will be

necessary.

The

In para. 4 of the brief on para. 1

(of the Agreed Minute) it is stated that

"the Hong Kong Government conducts an

independent economic policy and negotiates

its own trade arrangements". We would

prefer the words "like Hong Kong Government

exercises a wide measure of delegated

control over economic policy and in practice

negotiates its own trado arrangements".

This makes it clearer that Hong Kong has

no "de jure" commercial independence.

With reference to paragraph 3 of the

brief on para 4 (of the Agreed Minute),

I believe we are correct in thinking that

the Benelux countries are at present

obliged, under the Long Term Arrangement on

Cotton Textiles, to consult Hong Kong on

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CONFIDENTIAL

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