TNAG-1397-FCO40-1869-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1985 — Page 130

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

HKSAR should have the capacity to sign as a party to any international agreements or to join any international organizations in respect of economic, commercial and cultural affairs; to establish a liaison office or commissioner's office in overseas territories in order to look after the economic interests of Hong Kong. Any international participation should be effected and conducted by Hong Kong on its own behalf only and should in no way prejudice or infringe any rights of the State and the Central Government.

(b) On the other hand, the Central Government should have the responsibility to take all effective measures to protect the interests of Hong Kong so that Hong Kong would not suffer economically upon the sever- ance of its official links with the British Government. For instance, there are certain existing international rights enjoyed by Hong Kong, which are presently looked after by Britain through its participation in the following treaties or agreements: General Agree- ment on Trade and Tariff, Multi-Fibre Agreements, the Berne Convention on Copyright, Paris Conven- tion on Industrial Property etc. The Central Govern- ment should take positive steps to join the above- named organizations for the protection of Hong Kong's interests. The HKSAR should also be entitled to appoint representatives in the foreign trade delegations of China to help to look after the interests of Hong Kong.

(c) The Central Government may consider expressly

including in the Basic Law the following powers and policies for Hong Kong in its external relations:

- The HKSAR is entitled to adopt an independent stand or policy in its external trading affairs and for its trade with China. Hong Kong should be able to compete with China on fair and equal

terms.

The HKSAR Government shall have full and abso- lute responsibilities for its own immigration and tourist affairs, the granting of all relevant per- mits and visas, and the handling of overseas applic- ations for visas through its commisioner's office in foreign territories.

- The HKSAR should have the full responsibility for all affairs concerning navigation, aviation and landing rights within the territories of Hong Kong so as to enable Hong Kong to adequately function as a free port, provided that the exercise of such power should not prejudice the national defence of China and should be under the supervision of the Central Government.

- The Hong Kong Government may continue to maintain its non-political relationships, such as its economic and cultural relationships with those countries and territories such as Indonesia, South

Korea, Israel and Taiwan, etc. which have no diplo- matic relationships with China. However, if these countries or territories were in a very hostile relat- ionship or even in state of war with China, the HKSAR shall absolutely severe its relationship

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