TNAG-1402-FCO40-1874-Future-of-Hong-Kong-continued-participation-in-the-General-A-1985 — Page 103

Sir

Appendix IV

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London, S.W.1.

July, 1985

I have the honour to address you on the subject of the

authority to conduct certain aspects of Hong Kong's external affairs

entrusted to you by my despatch of today's date.

2. The United Kingdom Government continues to be responsible for the external relations of Hong Kong. In carrying out their general responsibility the United Kingdom Government will of course seek the fullest consultation with the Government of Hong Kong and will at all times have special regard to the interests of Hong Kong. However, subject to the stipulations set out in paragraph 3 of this despatch, the United Kingdom Government has thought it appropriate to delegate to you executive authority to conduct certain aspects

of external relations of Hong Kong. In addition the United

Kingdom Government will give sympathetic consideration to any

request by you for authority to take action on individual questions of external relations of Hong Kong not covered by that despatch.

3. In view of the general responsibility of the United Kingdom Government for the external affairs of Hong Kong, it will be

necessary for you to inform the United Kingdom Government in

advance of any proposal for the exercise of the authority to conduct

negotiations delegated to you by paragraph 2 (a) and (c), of that

despatch and to keep the United Kingdom Government informed of the

progress of any such negotiations. The United Kingdom Government

will inform you if it should appear that your actions or

proposals in this field conflict with, or are likely to lead to conflict with, the international commitments, responsibilities or policies of the United Kingdom Government. In that event it will of

course be necessary for Hong Kong to abide by the decision of the

United Kingdom Government.

1

/5.