. /. RESTRICTED  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  S/L/219 
25 May 2005 
 (05-2112) 
Trade in Services Original:   English 
  
 
MODIFICATION OF SCHEDULES 
 
 
Accession of the Czech Republic, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Cyprus, 
 
the Republic of Latvia, the Republic of Lithuania,  the Republic of Hungary, the Republic of Malta,  
the Republic of Austria, the Republic of Poland,  the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic,  
the Republic of Finland, the Kingdom of  Sweden to the European Communities  
 
Notification of Claim of Interest from Hong Kong, China  
 
 
 
 The following communication, dated 23 May 20 05, from the delegation of Hong Kong, China 
is being circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.   
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  1. Hong Kong, China takes note of the communi cation from the European Communities and its 
Member States pursuant to Article V:5 and Article  XXI:1(b) of the General Agreement on Trade in 
Services (GATS), document S/SECRET/9 dated 12 April 2005 as corrected by S/SECRET/9/Corr.1 
dated 19 April 2005, notifying the Council for Trade in Services of their intention to modify or 
withdraw the specific commitments set out in the "List of commitments modified or withdrawn" 
attached as Annex to that communication.  That communication has made reference to the on-going 
negotiations pursuant to Article XXI initiated by the earlier communication from the European 
Communities and its Member States S/SECRET/8.  In particular, the communication is described as 
"supplements document S/SECRET/8 as amended by document S/SECRET/8/Corr.1". 
2. Pursuant to Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS and paragraph 3 of the Procedures for the 
Implementation of Article XXI of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (Modification of Schedules) (S/L/80), Hong Kong, China considers th at its interests under the GATS may be affected 
by the proposed modifications or withdrawals in  S/SECRET/9, and hereby notifies its claim of 
interest and identifies itself as an affected Member.  Hong Kong, China looks forward to entering into 
negotiations with the European Communities and its Member States, with a view to reaching 
agreement on necessary compensatory adjustments, in order to maintain a general level of mutually 
advantageous commitments not less favourable to trade than before , in accordance with 
Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS. 
3. Hong Kong, China would like to register its  understanding that, in accordance with 
Article XXI:2(a) of the GATS a nd paragraph 3 of S/L/80, any Me mber which considers that its 
interests under the Agreement may be affected
 by a proposed modification or withdrawal may submit 
its claim, and the modifying Member shall  enter into negotiations with such a Member which has 
identified itself as an affected Member, wit hout further pre-condition or pre-requisite. S/L/219 
Page 2  
 
4. Hong Kong, China would further like to register  its understanding that its interests and rights 
under the on-going negotiations pursuant to Article XX I in respect of S/SECRET/8 remain unaffected 
by the latest communication S/SECRET/9 and any actions, negotiations or outcomes that may ensue in respect of that communication. 
 
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