SECRET
of the lease. The PRC claim that the Convention of 1898 is
another unequal treaty' and do not recognise the validity
of the lease. The UK has not admitted this claim. HMG
accept that the PRC is entitled to resume possession of
the New Territories when the international lease expires
in 1997.
notably
The Governor
3.
Hong Kong has its own constitution under the Hong
Kong Letters Patent 1917 to 1982 as supplemented by the
There is a Hong Kong Royal Instructions 1917 to 1980.
Governor (appointed by and responsible to HMG) who is
The Queen's representative in the colony and who is required
to act in accordance with the instructions of the Crown
through a Secretary of State. The Governor is head of the
executive government of Hong Kong and is advised by an
Executive Council, which he is required to consult except
( with certain exception
on unimportant matters or when the matter is too urgent to allow this). The Governor may act in opposition to the
advice of the Council but any such case (which would be
highly exceptional) must be reported to the Secretary of
State. This has not happened for many years.
- 2 -
/Degree
}Page 61