CONFIDENTIAL
51
161635 MDLIAN 0115
CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO ROUTINE FCO
TELNO 3059
OF 200407Z OCTOBER 90
HKB 290/1
TOP COPY
C1 NOV 1990
Q DIST?
INFO ROUTINE BTC HONG KONG, UKRE
43
UKACK JO
HONG KONG
YRTELNO 1704: FUTURE OF THE BRITISH COUNCIL IN HONG KONG
1. WHILE CONSIDERATION OF THIS ISSUE HAD BEEN SHELVED PENDING RESOLUTION OF DISCUSSIONS ON THE FUTURE CONSULATE GENERAL, WE SHOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THE POINT IN PARA 3 OF TUR ABOUT THE COUNCIL'S LEGAL BASIS FOR EXISTENCE IN HONG KONG AFTER 1997.
2. AS YOU POINT OUT, THE COUNCIL IS ESTABLISHED BY ROYAL CHARTER. BECAUSE OF THAT, IT IS EXEMPT FROM REGISTRATION IN HONG KONG UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE. THERE IS NO LEGAL REASON WHY COMPANIES CONSTITUTED UNDER ROYAL CHARTER SHOULD NOT CONTINUE TO ENJOY THIS EXEMPTION AFTER 1997. HOWEVER, IT SEEMS PROBABLE THAT THIS POSITION WILL HAVE TO BE CHANGED IN THE ADAPTATION OF LAWS EXERCISE. THE CHINESE ARE LIKELY TO SEE THE ROYAL CHARTER, AND PRIVILEGES DERIVING FROM CONSTITUTION UNDER IT, AS AN EXPRESSION OF SOVEREIGNTY.
3. IF THE SOCIETIES ORDINANCE IS SO AMENDED, THE COUNCIL COULD THEN EITHER APPLY FOR REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION UNDER THAT ORDINANCE: OR REGISTRATION AS AN OVER-SEAS CORPORATION UNDER THE COMPANIES ORDINANCE. OF THESE THE LATTER OPTION SEEMS PREFERABLE.
FORD
YYYY
DISTRIBUTION
80
ΜΑΙΝ
77
.HONG KONG AGREEMENT
.(RESTRICTED)
LIMITED
HKD
HD/FED
PUSD
NEWS D
PS/LORD CAITHNESS
MR MCLAREN
MR BURNS
PAGE
1
CONFIDENTIAL
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