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SIGNATURE CEREMONY: 1730 HOURS 19 DECEMBER 1984 GREAT HALL OF THE PEOPLE, PEKING
Following her meeting with Deng Xiaoping, the Prime Minister will enter the Western Hall of the Great Hall of the People with Deng, Li Xiannian and Zhao Ziyang. The table on which the signature will take place will be opposite the entrance to the Hall Premier Zhao will be seated at the left hand end of the table (facing into the room) and the Prime Minister will be seated at the right hand end of the table.
2. The delegations will already have taken their places: the Chinese delegation behind Premier Zhao and the British delegation behind the Prime Minister. The observers will be in rows on the right hand side of the Hall, facing towards the signature table. The press will be on the left hand side of the Hall, facing towards the signature table. (The Embassy will have a diagram ready for the Prime Minister on arrival).
3. The Prime Minister will first sign the copies of the English and Chinese language versions of the Joint Declaration held by the British side. Premier Zhao will sign the Chinese Government's copies. The folders will be exchanged by aides. The Prime Minister will then sign the Chinese Government's copies while Premier Zhao signs our copies. There will thus be a total of four signatures by each Prime Minister. The date will already have been entered on all copies of the Joint Declaration.
4. The Memoranda on Nationality will be placed in their respective envelopes inside the folder of the other side after the Prime Minister and Premier Zhao have completed their fourth signatures. They will thus be exchanged when the agreement folders are exchanged by the two Prime Ministers before the speeches. They do not require signature or initialling.
5.
Premier Zhao will make his speech after the folders have been exchanged for the second time. The Prime Minister will then make her speech. Both speeches will be translated paragraph by paragraph. They will be followed by a champagne toast bringing in the delegations and observers.
6.
After the toast the Prime Minister will be escorted from the Hall by Li, Deng and Zhao. They will then take leave of the Prime Minister and senior members of the British delegation, who will be escorted to their cars by Protocol officers.