ENG-1995 — Page 67

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION

ensure the maintenance of Hong Kong's participation in the General Agree- ment on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the Multifibre Arrangement and other international arrangements; and

(b) action to be taken by the two governments to ensure the continued application

of international rights and obligations affecting Hong Kong.

Almost all of this work has been completed. In 1986, the JLG agreed that Hong Kong should be deemed to be a separate contracting party to the GATT and also that Hong Kong should become a separate Member of the Customs Co-operation Council. The JLG has also agreed that Hong Kong should continue to participate in 27 other international organisations after July 1, 1997. They are the: Asian Development Bank (agreement reached in 1985), Universal Postal Union (1986), World Meteorological Organisation (1986), International Maritime Organisation (1986), International Telecommunication Union (1986), Asia-Pacific Postal Union (1986), subsidiary bodies of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN in the Asia-Pacific Region (1987), United Nations Economic and Social Commis- sion for Asian and the Pacific, and its subordinate bodies including the Asia and Pacific Development Centre, Intergovernmental Typhoon Committee and Statistical Institute for Asia and the Pacific (1987), International Labour Organisation (1987), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (1987), World Health Organisation (1988), Interpol (1988), Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (1988), Interna- tional Atomic Energy Agency (1988), United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (1988), International Hydrographic Organisation (1988), Network of Aquacul- ture Centres in Asia and the Pacific (1988), International Monetary Fund (1989), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1989), International Finance Corporation (1989), International Development Association (1989), Interna- tional Telecommunications Satellite Organisation (1990), International Maritime Satellite Organisation (1990), World Intellectual Property Organisation (1994). =

Significant progress has also been made concerning international rights and obligations. The JLG established an International Rights and Obligations Sub- Group in 1986. Agreement has been reached on the continued application of 173 international conventions to Hong Kong after July 1, 1997. A full list is set out in Appendix 5A.

JE

The JLG has also agreed to programmes letting Hong Kong enter into bilateral agreements with various countries. These will continue in force after July 1, 1997:

(a) Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with: The Netherlands (agreed to in the JLG, March 1992, signed December 1992), Sweden (June 1993, May 1994), Denmark (September 1993, February 1994), Switzerland (September 1993, September 1994), Australia (June 1993, September 1993), New Zealand (April 1995, July 1995), Canada (agreed to in June 1992), Germany (December 1993), Italy (June 1994, November 1995), France (September 1994, November 1995) and Belgium (July 1995).

(b) Surrender of Fugitive Offenders Agreements with: The Netherlands (agreement in the JLG, June 1992, signed November 1992), Canada (May 1993, September 1993), Australia (September 1993, November 1993), Malaysia (June 1994, January 1995), The Philippines (September 1994, January 1995), and India (December 1994).

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