TNAG-1492-FCO40-2050-Future-of-Hong-Kong-General-Agreement-on-Tariffs-and-Trade-(-1986 — Page 298

- 2 -

Hong Kong has played an important and active role

in the world trade system since the General Agreement

1948. to Hong Kong on 28 June became applicable

In

from 1

order to ensure a continued similar role on the part of

the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as

July 1997, the Chinese and British Governments have, in

pursuance

of

the relevant

provisions of

the

Joint

that each

Declaration, decided through consultations

side will, according to GATT Article XXVI 5 (c), address

a communication to the Director-General of the GATT.

its

The Government of the United Kingdom will,

declaration, refer to the declaration made by

in

the

United

Kingdom on

28

June

1948

concerning the

Tariffs and

confirm that Kong,

Hong Kong,

as

a

application of the General Agreement on

and.

Trade to Hong

separate customs territory, fully meets the requirements

for a customs territory to be deemed to be a contracting

GATT Article XXVI 5 (c), party as prescribed by declare that in accordance with the provisions of Article

XXVI 5 (c) of the said Agréement and the wishes of Hong Kong, Hong Kong will, with effect from the date of this communication, be deemed to be a contracting party to

the Agreement.