TNAG-1401-FCO40-1873-Future-of-Hong-Kong-continued-participation-in-the-General-A-1985 — Page 126

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probably be inclined in principle to favour

Chinese accession.

-

In economic and GATT terms, there would probably

be more disadvantages than advantages; but it is

unlikely that many countries would regard these

considerations as of decisive importance provided

that China could be brought to accept terms which

reflected her state-trading status. Such terms

may be more difficult to secure if China seeks to

resume her former seat without negotiations; but

this is likely to be resisted (with legal

justification) by Contracting Parties.

•

- Chinese accession need not lead inevitably to

Soviet accession to the GATT, which would probably

destroy the GATT as we know it. But it would in

the long run make it more difficult to keep the

Russians out. This may encourage some developed

countries to think twice before letting China in.

If only for Hong Kong reasons, it would be

impossible for Britain to appear to oppose Chinese

accession even if we wanted to for economic

reasons, and there are correspondingly strong

political reasons for being seen to support it if

and when it arises. But we need to know a lot

more about the attitudes of EC partners and of

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