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materials. The Lists are reviewed regularly to keep them in line with changes in technology. The Committee meets weekly in Paris to consider requests by member countries in favour of a partialar export which, by virtue of civil end use or some other factor, could be regarded as an exception to the List.
13. COCOM currently treats strategic sales to China on the same basis as those to the Soviet Union. However, in December 1977 agreement was reached on various amend- ments (originally put forward by the UK) to the Strategic Criteria and Exceptions procedure. These changes should enable us in future to argue in COCOM cases for potential sales to China such as marine turbines on the grounds that they are not against the strategic interést of the West. Hong Kong
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Hong Kong could not be defended against an attack from the mainland. Sales of sophisticated equipment to China would therefore not increase the military threat to Hong Kong.
President Carter's Policy on Conventional Arms Transfers
A background note is attached at Annex B.
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CONDIDENTIAL
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