TNAG-1630-FCO40-2246-Visits-by-Hong-Kong-Government-officials-to-China--the-UK-an-1987 — Page 148

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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

23 July 1987

RD Clift Esq

Political Adviser

HONG KONG

Да для

VISIT OF HONG KONG POLICE COMMISSIONER TO CHINA

1.

Thank you for copying to me your letter of 12 June to Peter Thoms on, enclosing Ray Anning's report on his recent visit to China. I read it with interest, and had a chance to discuss it with Ray today.

2. In the penultimate paragraph of your letter you asked for our comments on the Chinese reference to "the United Nations treaty on illegal transfer of artistic

treasures". Nationality and Treaty Department here can find no reference to a treaty of that exact title. The only treaty which resembles it (and presumably the one to which the Chinese were referring) is "The Convention on the means of prohibiting and preventing the illicit export, import and transfer of ownership of cultural property" which was adopted in Paris on 14 November 1970. Neither the UK nor China is a party to the Convention. This seems to reduce its relevance where the smuggling of antiques from China to Hong Kong is concerned.

CC: PAB Thomson Esq

British Embassy PEKING

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Hong Kong Department

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