TNAG-2790-FCO40-4029-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1993 — Page 59

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CONFIDENTIAL #

Issue

Objective/explanation

Secretary for Financial Services

Foreign Corporations Bill

The Bill seeks to give recognition to the legal capacity of corporations incorporated in territories which are not recognised by the UK as States. The Bill represents a response to a commercial problem as there is increasing concern in Hong Kong about the uncertainty with the legal status of such

corporations, especially that of Taiwanese corporations. The Bill models on the 1991 UK Foreign Corporations Act.

Present status/progress

China interest*

The Bill was introduced into LegCo on 21.7.93. Decision on whether a bills Committee is required has yet to be made by LegCo.

There may well be

concern about "recognition" of Taiwan, but the

line-to-take

would be that

this is a

solution to a commercial

problem, and follows the example of the U.K. Act.

UK interest*

Not applica

CONFIDENTIAL # #

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Secretary for Health and Welfare

Human Organ Trading

To enact legislation to prohibit commercial trading in human organs and soliciting/advertising for same. China is a potential source of commercial kidney and other transplants for Hong Kong patients, with organs alleged to be purchased or obtained from executed criminals.

A Bill was introduced into LegCo on 8 April 1992 to curb organ trading and to control soliciting or advertising for such. It is now being studied by a LegCo Ad Hoc Group.

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