TNAG-2882-FCO40-4154-Extension-of-the-Hague-Conventions-on-Trusts-and-Child-Abduc-1993 — Page 11

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Chinese might feel that it should be handled as a Bilateral matter with the UK. We suggested that if a decision were made to extend, the Australians might wish to discuss this question with UKREP JLG.

5. We should be grateful for your views on the convention. There seems to us to be no China-related reason why it should not be extended to Hong Kong. We would also be grateful to know your and copy addressees' views on the wisdom of the Australians approaching the Chinese on this. We gained the impression from the consular official's attitude that there is some pressure on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) from other departments in Canberra to take action on this convention.

If we think that intervention would be counter-productive, it might be as well to ensure DFAT are well armed to argue against it.

HURD

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.JLG RESTRICTED

HKD

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LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT

LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BROOKS

ADDITIONAL

4

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CONSULAR D

NEWS D

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CAOFF//MS D CORNER CAOFF MR SIBSON

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