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taking Hong Kong as their place of permanent residence. The SAR Government will issue permanent identity cards to all those with the right of abode in the SAR. These cards will state the holder's right of abode.
50. This section of the Annex states that Chinese nationals who have the right of abode in the Hong Kong SAR will be eligible for passports issued by the SAR Government. Other persons who have the right of abode, or are otherwise lawfully resident, in the SAR will be eligible for other travel documents issued by the SAR Government. Both these categories of persons may also use travel documents issued by the competent authorities of the People's Republic of China or by other governments to travel to and from the SAR: these include passports issued by the United Kingdom (see paragraphs 63 to 64 below).
51. The Annex makes clear that the right to leave the Hong Kong SAR for any purpose, e.g. business, study or emigration, will be maintained subject to the normal exceptions under the law. To facilitate entry by SAR residents into third countries, all travel documents issued to them will either include a reference to their right to return to the SAR or refer to the fact that they hold a permanent identity card as evidence of their right of abode in the SAR. The SAR Government will be assisted or authorised by the Central People's Government to conclude agreements with states or regions which provide for the mutual abolition of visa requirements.
Annex II: Terms of Reference of the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group
52. As the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs emphasised in his press conference in Hong Kong on 1 August 1984, it is fully agreed between Her Majesty's Government and the Chinese Government that Her Majesty's Government will remain responsible for the administration of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997. Nonetheless there will, of course, be a number of areas relating to the implementation of the Joint Declaration where further consultation between the two Governments will be required after the Joint Declaration has entered into force. One obvious example in the future is the arrangements for Hong Kong's continued participation in international agreements and organisations. Such consultation will be facilitated by the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, whose rôle and functions are clearly defined in Annex II.
Annex III: Land Leases
53. This Annex takes account of the important part which land plays in the development and economy of Hong Kong.
54. It considers existing leases under two main categories: those which continue beyond 30 June 1997 and those which expire before that date. In the case of the first category (mainly 75 year leases renewable for 75 years, and 999 year leases) the rights in the leases are recognised by the Annex and will be recognised and protected under the law of the SAR after 1997. These rights include the right of renewal in the case of renewable leases, as well as rights granted by the leaseholder to other persons, e.g. sub-leases, mortgages and rights of way.
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