TNAG-1259-FCO40-1599-The-Future-of-Hong-Kong---special-study-by-FCO--August-1982--1983 — Page 14

SECRET

is in practice permitted a great deal of latitude over

external trade relations and largely conducts its own.

In particular it has negotiated restraint agreements

covering the export of certain products with its main

trading partners, the US and the EC.

5. Outside the trade field, the bulk of Hong Kong's

'external affairs' are concerned with its relations with

China. While these are the responsibility of HMG and all

important matters are dealt with in London, or in Peking

through H M Ambassador, the Hong Kong Government conduct

much purely local business through contacts, direct or

indirect, with the neighbouring Chinese authorities.

6. Primarily in order to further its commercial interests,

the Hong Kong Government maintains offices in London,

Geneva, Brussels and Washington (soon in New York as well).

But apart from its London office, which is sui generis, these

are technically part of UK Missions. In a few international

fora, eg the Asian Development Bank and the Economic and

Social Committee for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), there is

direct participation by the Hong Kong Government, as a

Dependent Territory.

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