TNAG-1492-FCO40-2050-Future-of-Hong-Kong-General-Agreement-on-Tariffs-and-Trade-(-1986 — Page 219

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SECRETARIAT.

8. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT HOPE THAT THESE DECLARATIONS WILL

MEET WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF ALL CONTRACTING PARTIES. THERE

WAS WIDESPREAD INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE JOINT DECLARATION

AND THE PROVISION FOR HONG KONG'S FUTURE, INCLUDING THE ABILITY

OF THE HONG KONG SAR TO DECIDE ITS OWN ECONOMIC AND TRADE

POLICIES. WE HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE A SIMILAR DEGREE OF

UNDERSTANDING FOR THE JOINT ACTION BY THE BRITISH AND CHINESE

GOVERNMENTS TO GIVE THESE PROVISIONS PRACTICAL EFFECT.

9.

HONG KONG PLAYS AN IMPORTANT AND POSITIVE ROLE IN THE WORLD

TRADING SYSTEM. IT IS COMMITTED TO FREE TRADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH

THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF THE GATT. IT IS IN THE INTERESTS

OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE THAT IT SHOULD BE ABLE

TO CONTINUE PLAYING ITS PRESENT ROLE. WE WOULD EXPECT

CONTRACTING PARTIES TO WELCOME ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE INTENDED TO

ENSURE THIS, WITHIN THE PROCEDURES LAID DOWN BY THE GATT.

HOWE

HONG KONG AGREEMENT : RESTRICTED

LIMITED

HD/HKD

HD/FED

COPIES TO:

MR FIFOOT, LEGAL ADVISERS MR WOOD LEGAL ADVISERS

RESEARCH D (FE)

DEP/HD PUSD

PS/MR RENTON MR WILSON

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