:
UK/CHINA SHIPPING AGREEMENT
Points for Consideration
1)
What are UK interests?
2)
(i) To obtain agreement on cargo sharing in bilateral trade.
(ii) To obtain agreement on a number of technical shipping.
matters (DOT should provide details).
How can these objectives be achieved?
(i) An exchange of letters under the ECA, covering essentially
cargo sharing.
or (ii) A separate Maritime Agreement which would also cover
other shipping matters.
3)
Hong Kong Interests
(i) Need to avoid opening up the question of the status of
Hong Kong, which would create political and practical
difficulties.
(ii) Do these difficulties make inclusion of Hong Kong in a
If so
Maritime Agreement a non-starter?
(iii) What would be the political, economic and practical
consequences of a Maritime Agreement which excluded
Hong Kong?
4) Options
(i) An exchange of letters under the ECA.
Advantages:
(a) Provides us with maximum political leverage to achieve
our main objective on cargo sharing. (Dr Owen's visit
would provide a good occasion to complete the agreement.)
/(b)
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.