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11. If Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong were conceded, but
British administration continued, China would become the
international person with ultimate responsibility, so it
would be logical for the UK to have responsibility for
conduct, ie (b) rather than (a). This would accord with the
'caretaker' notion and the 'safeguarding of Chinese
sovereignty'. But it is not certain that the Chinese would
recognise the distinction.
+
Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region
12. Similar considerations will apply in this case, but it
would be even more important to have a cast iron agreement
that, despite Hong Kong's nominal position as a Special
Administrative Region, conduct of external relations remained
with the UK.
Local Authority
13. The UK would continue to consult the Hong Kong Government
in exercising its responsibility and arrangements could be
made for more extensive delegation to the Hong Kong Government
in the field of external relations than exist at present,
thus conferring a greater degree of autonomy on Hong Kong.
Nevertheless there would be practical and jurisprudential
obstacles to the delegation of authority throughout the field
of international relations.
Conclusions
14. In order to retain confidence, the UK would need to
possess, and to be seen as possessing, effective international
/responsibility
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