TNAG-1491-FCO40-2049-Future-of-Hong-Kong-General-Agreement-on-Tariffs-and-Trade-(-1986 — Page 19

CONFIDENTIAL

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A PARALLEL DECLARATION ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL

ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE P.R.R. AFTER 1 JULY, 1997. WE SHALL

EXPLAIN VERY FULLY IN ADVANCE OF THE MAKING OF THE DECLARATIONS

WHY WE CONSIDER THAT SUCH A PROCEDURE IS APPROPRIATE AND FEASIBLE.

OUR VIEW IS SHARED BY THE GATT SECRETARIAT, WHOM WE HAVE CONSULTED

INFORMALLY.

4. WE SHOULD BE GRATEFUL IF POSTS CONCERNED COULD EMPHASISE THAT

THIS ADVNACE WARNING IS CONFIDENTIAL AND INFORMAL. WE MUST BE

CAREFUL NOT TO PREJUDICE THE IMPORTANT DIPLOMATIC EXERCISE WHICH

WE SHALL BE CONDUCTING WITH THE CHINESE BY AN IMPRESSION GETTING

BACK TO THEM THAT WE HAVE BEEN JUMPING THE GUN.

HOWE

OCMIAN 2704

3

CONFIDENTIAL