TNAG-2303-FCO40-3332-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IRO)-Sub-Gro-1991 — Page 122

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consequent

delay

and

expense

involved

before

a "public

document" can be accepted in a foreign jurisdiction. It is

widely used in Hong Kong to facilitate both the receipt and

issue of such documents and greatly enhances relations with

many of its trading partners who are parties to this

number of the certificates (apostilles)

Convention.

The

processed in Hong

Kong rose from 644 in 1981 to 2841 in

1982. Figures for 1988 were 3,072, for 1989 4,229, and for

1990 4,023.

Proposals

6.

should

1997

this

to

The British side propose that the Convention

continue to apply to the Hong Kong SAR after 30 June

in accordance with the Joint Declaration. To achieve

result, it will be necessary for the CPG in some way

indicate to all present Contracting Parties, and all

Governments which may become parties before 1 July 1997,

that all the international rights and obligations arising

from the Convention, to the extent to which they apply to

Hong Kong, will be assumed by the CPG with effect from 1

July 1997 and apply

the HKSAR of the PRC. It will

further be necessary to ensure, so far as possible, that

to

those Contracting Parties either

acquiesce.

agree or at least

In the opinion of the British side, the best

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