TNAG-0574-FCO40-707-Hong-Kong-annual-review-for-1975-1976 — Page 25

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

6.

CONFIDENTIAL

10.

On defence costs we have agreed a reduced

size for the garrison, and have negotiated a completely

new framework for cost-sharing and for land-use by

the Ministry of Defence which in all respects brings

arrangements for the garrison into line with modern

realities. It is certainly much more favourable

11.

than the previous defence costs agreement to HM,G,,

it has sufficient flexibility written into it to allow

it to last, and I sincerely hope it will end this

perennial source of friction. The price in local

resentment was significant but was well worth paying.

The problem presented by United Kingdom

resentment of industrial competition by Hong Kong has

been tackled within the rules of the GATT and its

multi-fibre textile agreement and within the negotiating

framework of the EEC. Considerable progress was

made this year through the agreement reached with the

EEC and in subsequent interpretive negotiations.

Approximately 80% of Hong Kong's exports to the United

Kingdom are now subject to restraint agreements.

have no doubt this will be a continuing problem,

with restrictions resented as deeply in Hong Kong as

competition in the United Kingdom, but it should be

manageable provided the rules are followed by both

follo

parties, as they were last year.

CONFIDENTIAL

I

+

89514

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