TNAG-2056-FCO40-2934-Hong-Kong-and-the-Organisation-for-Economic-Cooperation-and--1990 — Page 48

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HONG KONG PARTICIPATION IN APEC, PECC AND THE OECD BRIEFING MEETING, 4PM TUESDAY 17 JULY 1990

Present

Mr Maude

Ms Ewan, APS/Mr Maude

Mr Davies, FED

Miss Marsden, HKD

Mr Millett, ERD

Miss Read-Ward, ERD

ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION/PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONFERENCE

1. Mr Millett said that we would welcome confirmation from the Chinese at Ministerial level that they did not object, in principle, to Hong Kong joining APEC. The Minister said that he would discuss the matter in Hong Kong, but, subject to those discussions, would tell Peking that we were glad that China had agreed to Hong Kong joining PECC and seek confirmation that they had no objection to Hong Kong joining APEC, as long as its was clear that membership of APEC was not limited to states. Mr Maude hoped that the fact that APEC membership was not limited to states would be made clear at the forthcoming APEC Ministerial meeting.

ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT

2. Mr Maude said that it would be useful to develop the informal relationshop between Hong Kong and the OECD. He undertook to talk through the options with Hong Kong, but thought that it was not for him to raise with the Chinese at the moment. Mr Millett felt that China would find it harder to accept Hong Kong having a relationship with OECD than they would with APEC, because this was something they were unlikely to achieve themselves.

3. Mr Davies pointed out that this would also not necessarily be the best time to raise the subject. Members of the OECD were not sure if they wanted Hong Kong to join, and the Secretary-General was unconvinced of the differences between dealing with Hong Kong and Taiwan.

INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND

4. Mr Millett explained that the separate Article IV for consultations for Hong Kong were still scheduled for September, but it was not obvious that this was something the

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