TNAG-2298-FCO40-3324-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IRO)-Sub-Gro-1991 — Page 11

Reference.....PBG 126/1

G

HKC031/12

Mr Sainty

sainty,

20

HKD 13 MAY 1991

$

cc: Ms Barrett, Legal Adv

Mr Darby, NTCD

seeking Ms Barrett's advice

05775

APPLICATION OF MULTILATERAL TREATIES TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997: INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS

1.

2.

3

Your minute of 30 April refers.

p.a.

I can confirm that there is a further Amendment to the International Convention on Exhibitions 1928. It was adopted by the General Assembly of the International Exhibitions Bureau

(BIE) on 31 May 1988 and is due to come into effect on 1 January 1995. The UK ratified the Amendment in 1988. It is not yet in force as there has to date been an insufficient number of ratifications. The Amendment creates new categories of Registered and Recognised exhibitions to replace the current Universal and Specialised categories.

3.

China is not now a member of the RIE nor, as far as I am aware, has it ever been one. Although, again as far as I am

it has not expressed any interest in joining the BIE, it has agreed for instance to participate in Expo 92 Seville. Membership of the BIE (there are currently 42 members) is not a requirement for participation in international exhibitions, invitations to which are at the discretion of the organisers (South Africa for instance was not invited to participate in Expo 92 Seville). Membership of the BIE does however give participants certain advantages eg lower rental costs, priority in obtaining approval from

the Pole to Luht extubations e-

4.

The French government is the depositary of the Convention. According to Article 35 of the Convention accession to it is open to members of the UN, states which are a party to the Statute of the International Court of Justice, states which are members of the UN Specialised Agencies or the International Atomic Energy Agency or any state whose application for accession is approved by a two-thirds majority of the Contracting Parties which have the right to vote at the General Assembly of the Bureau.

5.

I do not know whether Hong Kong has ever taken part in any Expo with its own pavilion or display separate from that of the UK with the exception quoted in para 6 of HK telno 1186. I would have to ask the BIE Secretary General if you need this information. Given that BIE membership is not necessary to participate in exhibitions organised within the framework of the BIE Convention I do not see how Hong Kong could continue to participate as a separate entity in such exhibitions after 1997 without the express authority of the government of China.

3 May 1991

CODE 18-77

以

Roger James

Information Dept