Government officials today will meet their United States counterparts to settle a dispute over Washington's decision to impose extra document requirements on textiles exported from the territory.
The Hong Kong delegation, led by the Commissioner for Customs and Excise (designate), Lawrence Li Shu-fai, will hold talks with US Deputy Customs Commissioner Michael Lane and his team in Hong Kong.
'We will reiterate Hong Kong's position . . . to defer the implementation of the measures to enable Hong Kong and the US to discuss the matter with a view to finding a mutually satisfactory solution,' a government spokesman said.
'We understand that the measures are intended to tackle illegal textiles trans-shipment. But they are objectionable because they are being taken in the absence of concrete evidence of illegal trans-shipment of such products in Hong Kong.' The new measures require Hong Kong exporters to submit extra documentation from all manufacturers involved in the consignment.
US importers have been required to certify the validity of the documents on arrival in the US since Monday.
Items affected include skirts, suits, nightwear, underwear and dresses.