TNAG-2750-FCO40-3965-Most-favoured-nation-status-for-China-Hong-Kong-interests-1993 — Page 305

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LETTER TO THE PRIME MINISTER FROM NEIL KEARNEY, INTERNATIONAL TEXTILE, GARMENT AND LEATHER WORKERS' FEDERATION

1. Please find below a contribution to the departmental reply which you are coordinating in response to Mr Kearney's letter of 25 January to the Prime Minister:

The Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 requires HMG to be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong to 30 June 1997 with the object of preserving its economic prosperity and social stability. Revocation or conditional renewal of China's Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status could severely damage Hong Kong's economy, possibly causing a 50% reduction in GDP growth. This would have a direct effect on Hong Kong's workforce, and would lead to a loss of up to 60,000 jobs. is clearly in the interests of the people of Hong Kong for China's MFN status to be renewed, and it is thus incumbent on HMG to ensure that the US Administration is fully aware of the damage that would be done to Hong Kong if China's MFN status is not renewed.

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Annadele Bouc

Annadele Bouch

Hong Kong Department

WH 303 270 2653

29 January 1993

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