TNAG-2473-FCO40-3600-Asian-Development-Bank-liabilities-of-Hong-Kong-1992 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

Handed

over (Parton / shory) 74.4592

SPEAKING note

a Refrunki Hais

Nariman Heer Joypar

FRogan Pelning

equi

HKB 102/1

VSO IN REGK

34

In October 1985, the United Kingdom and the People's Republic

of China exchanged notes concerning, inter alia, Hong Kong's

future status in the Asian Development Bank.

It was agreed that Hong Kong would continue its participation

in the ADB after 30 June 1997, using the name "Hong Kong, China”.

In April 1986, the United Kingdom Government accordingly

wrote to the ADB President Masao Fujioka drawing his attention to

the exchange of notes.

In a courtesy call in late March this year by ADB President

Kirimasu Tarumizu on the Financial Secretary in his capacity as

the current Chairman of the ADB Board of Governors, the President

raised the subject of Hong Kong's membership and suggested that

there should be consultation on the matter. President Tarumizu

was evidently uncertain about the position and did not seem to

have been aware of the April 1986 letter to his predecessor

President Fujioka. We now understand that the letter was not

circulated by President Fujioka to the ADB General Counsel's

Office for noting or any further action.