Informed by the P.R.C government

The Government of the People's Republic of China has informed the Director General of WIPO as follows:
In accordance with the Joint Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on the Question of  Hong Kong signed on 19 December 1984, the People's Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong with effect from 1 July 1997.  Hong Kong will, with effect from that date, become a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defense affairs which are the responsibilities of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China.
The Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) of June 19, 1970, as amended on September 28, 1979 and February 3, 1984 (hereinafter referred to as the 'PCT'), to which the Government of the People's Republic of China deposited its instrument of accession on October 1, 1993, will apply to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with effect from 1 July 1997. The Government of the People's Republic of China also makes the following declarations:
1. The designation of China in any international PCT application or after July 1, 1997, shall also cover the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

2. The modalities of 'entering the national phase' under Article 22 and Article 39 of the PCT as far as international applications filed on or after July 1, 1997, and designating China are concerned, will be communicated to the Director-General of the World Intellectual Property Organization not later than by the end of the current year (that is, by December 31, 1997).
The Government of the People's Republic of China will assume responsibility for the international rights and obligations arising from the application of the Treaty to the Hong Kong Special administrative Region.