INTRODUCTION TO THE AGREEMENT
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18. The full text of the draft agreement is included as Part Two of
this White Paper. It consists of a joint declaration and three
annexes together with an associated exchange of memoranda on
nationality. Each part of the agreement has the same status. The
whole makes up a formal international agreement, legally binding in all its parts. An international agreement of this kind is the
highest possible form of commitment between sovereign states.
19. The Joint Declaration consists in part of linked declarations
by the British and Chinese Governments. In paragraph one the government of the People's Republic of China declare that they will
resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997.
In paragraph two the British Government declares that it will
restore Hong Kong to the Government of the People's Republic of
China from that date. In paragraph three the Chinese Government
sets out its policies towards Hong Kong after 1997. In paragraph 4
the two Governments jointly declare that the British Government will
remain responsible for the administration of Hong Kong up to 1997.
Paragraphs 5 and 6 deal with the Joint Liaison Group and land.
Paragraph 6 constitutes the formal link between the declarations by
the two parties; together with paragraph 7 it has the effect of
making the joint declaration and the annexes to it legally binding in their entirety on the two governments. If the agreement is approved by Parliament it will be signed and will enter into force
on ratification. This last step will be taken as soon as possible
after the necessary legislation has been enacted.
20. Annex one contains an elaboration of Chinese policies for the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The annex deals in detail with the way Hong Kong will run after 1 July 1997, and describes the
extent of the autonomy and continuity which will prevail then. It
covers:
constitutional arrangements and government structure;
the legal system;
(a)
(b)
(c)
the public service;
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