TNAG-1493-FCO40-2051-Future-of-Hong-Kong-General-Agreement-on-Tariffs-and-Trade-(-1986 — Page 22

AVLL 122/1

RECEIVED IN

14 JUL 1986

INDEX

་་

PA

GRS 120

UNCLASSIFIED

FM PEKING

NEUTRAL]

TO ROUTINE FCO

TELNO 1223

OF 110513Z JULY 86

AMENDED DISTRIBUTION.

INFO ROUTINE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY

426

CHINA AND GATT.

1. ON 9 JULY A SPOKESMAN OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN ECONOMIC RELATIONS AND TRADE ANNOUNCED THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT WILL QUOTE VERY SOON UNQUOTE APPLY FOR RESUMPTION OF ITS MEMBERSHIP OF GATT. FORMAL APPLICATION IS EXPECTED TO BE SUBMITTED NEXT

WEEK. THE SPOKESMAN ALSO SAID THAT CHINA WOULD TAKE AN APPROACH

OF MUTUAL NON RETROACTIVITY ON THE ISSUE OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIOF

DURING THE PERIOD WHEN CHINA'S MEMBERSHIP LAPSED. HE REITERATED

THAT CHINA IS A DEVELOPING COUNTRY AND IS ENTITLED IS THE SAME TREATMENT UNDER GATT AS OTHER DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

EVANS

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

ECD (E)