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91. WILL NOT JOINT LIAISON GROUP GIVE CHINESE GOVERNMENT AN
OPPORTUNITY TO INTERFERE?
No.
It is made quite clear that the Group is not an organ of power, will play no part in Hong Kong's administration and will have no supervisory role over that administration.
92. WILL NOT CHINESE REPRESENTATIVE TO JOINT LIAISON GROUP BECOME
"SHADOW GOVERNOR"?
No. It is explicitly provided that members of the Joint Liaison Group shall only conduct activities within the scope of the Group's functions. Joint Declaration also provides that HMG will be responsible for administration of Hong Kong up to 30 June 1997.
93. WILL NOT EXISTENCE OF GROUP/PRESENCE OF BRITISH AND CHINESE
REPRESENTATIVES DETRACT FROM AUTHORITY OF HONG KONG
GOVERNMENT/GOVERNOR?
Not at all.
Functions of the Group and activities of its members
are very closely defined.
94. PURPOSE OF EXTENSION OF GROUP'S WORK BEYOND 1 JULY 1997? There will certainly be matteres falling within the functions of the Group which have to be dealt with for a time after Hong Kong has become a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
95. WHY WILL THE GROUP NOT STAY IN EXISTENCE BEYOND 2000?
Any negotiations must reconcile the preferences of the two sides. involved, and 2000 was the date that emerged from the negotiations. In any event there will of course be a British consular presence in Hong Kong after 1 July 1997, headed by a Consul-General.
96.
BRITISH REPRESENTATION ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP?
Too soon to say what form this will take.
97.
HONG KONG REPRESENTATION IN BRITISH DELEGATION?
It is clear from the text of the Annex that each side will determine
the composition of its own delegation. We shall of course ensure that Hong Kong is appropriately represented.
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