TNAG-1150-FCO40-1430-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-European-Community-1982 — Page 64

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UNCLASSIFIED

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY AND HONG KONG

DSR 11C

The second problem concerns the nature of UK

representation in Hong Kong. The reference to the UK

as one of the Member States with diplomatic representation

in Hong Kong gives a misleading impression. As Hong Kong

Dependent Territory is a British colony, and ito Governor comes under the

ultimate control of Her Majesty's Government, there are no

UK diplomatic representatives in Hong Kong. In practice, However, although the Governor is ultimately responsible

Hu British

Hong Kong

to Hong Kong's Government, it is British policy to allow

Territory the colony to pursue an independent economic and common-

commercial policy. The British Government has therefore

found it appropriate to nominate a British Trade Commissione

who is separate from the Hong Kong Government and whose

responsibility is the promotion of UK exports to Hong Kong.

The British Trade Commissioner's functions however are

strictly limited to those of pubf trade promotion. He

is not allowed to. engage in commercial diplomatic activity or negobation

with with the Hong Kong Government; nor has he any responsibility

for reporting on the Hong Kong economy to the British

Government, this being the responsibility of the Hong Kong

Aself;

if it is therefore not constitutionally

Government It

appropriate for the British, Trade Commissioner to

Result (except as an observer)}

in the preparation of EC Commercial

in

participate (în

Counsellor's reports

etc.

next

In these circumstances, it would

be helpful if in the,list of Member States' representation

in Hong Kong, the limitation of the functions of the

British Trade Commissioner could be made clear.