TNAG-1401-FCO40-1873-Future-of-Hong-Kong-continued-participation-in-the-General-A-1985 — Page 33

GS LAPK

CONFIDENTIAL

HONG KONG'S FUTURE POSITION IN THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND

TRADE AND THE CUSTOMS CO-OPERATION COUNCIL

INTRODUCTION

During the

talks Sino-British

on the

British side

explained

to the

Chinese

future of Hong Kong,

the side

the

fundamental

particular, the

importance of the GATT to Hong Kong's economic prosperity and, in

importance of the most-favoured-nation rights

that The Chinese side agreed

of

arrangements

access for its goods. would need to be made to ensure that Hong Kong could continue to be effectively represented and its views effectively expressed within

the GATT.

2.

As

a

reflection of

Section this,

of VI

Annex 1 to the

Sino-British Joint Declaration on the question of Hong Kong makes provision for the SAR to be a separate customs territory.

provides organisations

to participate

in relevant

international

trade

agreements,

It also

international

(including

the GATT and arrangements

for the SAR

and

such trade arrangements) preferential regarding international trade and textiles.

3.

of Annex II to the

as

Joint Declaration

states that

Paragraph 4 matters for early consideration by the JLG shall include action to be taken by the two Governments

as

to en sure

(a) to enable the Hong Kong SAR to maintain its economic relations

territory, and in particular customs separate a the maintenance of Hong Kong's participation in the GATT, the MFA and other international arrangements.

(b) to

to the continued application ensure

the Hong Kong SAR of international rights and obligations affecting Hong Kong.

The

purpose

of

this Memorandum

is

to seek members'

best

course

to

be taken

to

secure

Hong Kong's

advice on the

continued

participation in the GATT and the CCC beyond 30 June 1997.

CONFIDENTIAL