TNAG-1843-FCO40-2618-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 157

CAEAEO

3.

To what extent do you expect Hong Kong to retain an independent status internationally e.g. in the GATT, IFIs and other

international fora?

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The Joint Declaration and Basic Law provide for Hong Kong's continued participation after 1997 in international organisations in an appropriate capacity. This reflects the high dgree of autonomy Hong Kong will enjoy after 1997.

The particular status Hong Kong will enjoy in international

organisations will vary from case to case according to the

constitutions of the individual organisation. In many cases Hong

Kong will be able to enjoy separate status e.g. in relation to the

GATT, the ADB, (Asian Development Bank) and the IMO (International

Maritime Organisation). Hong Kong has already become a separate

contracting party to the GATT and will continue in that status after 1997 in the name of Hong Kong, China. Hong Kong also has and will retain after 1997 a separate standing in relation to the Multi-Fibre

Arrangements and the Customs Co-operation Council. It is thus

better placed to protect its own interests in world trade before and

after 1997.

In other cases such as the four major international monetary and

financial institutions, Hong Kong will participate as a member of

the Chinese delegation: But it was agreed at last week's JLG in

Peking that the Hong Kong Financial Secretary would be able to continue to attend the annual meetings of the IMF and IBRD after

1997.

C

Agreement has already been reached in the JLG on Hong Kong's continued participation in 18 international organisations. Work will being shortly on the continuation of Hong Kong's international rights and obligations under multilateral and bilateral treaties. All these developments are important steps in preserving Hong Kong's place in the international community and Hong Kong's existing

systems.