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Basic
Law and will
ensure
Agreement mak es absolutely
that it does not conflict.
clear that socialist system
and policies practised on mainland will not be practised in Hong Kong after 1997.
Bill of Rights?
5.
Agreement provides explicitly for maintenance of rights and freedoms previously in force in Hong Kong and protected by law. Stipulates also that provisions of relevant international covenants will remain in force.
All this to be enshrined in Basic Law and remain unchanged for 50 years.
The Falkland Islanders have received British citizenship: why not the Hong Kong people?
6.
The constitutional, historical and geographical circumstances are quite different. Hong Kong people who are British Dependent Territories citizens on the date of Hong Kong's change of status will, if they wish, retain BN (O) status after that date which will entitle them to
continue to use British passports. The two cases are
different for historical, legal and other reasons.
Validity of Treaties
7.
The position of the United Kingdom has always been that the three treaties are valid. The People's Republic of China disputes that
that view. The draft agreement does not resolve this difference of opinion and it has been set aside. The agreement provides for the restoration of
Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China with effect from 1 July 1997, and for HMG
and for HMG to be responsible for the
administration of the territory before that date.
Whatever the status of the three treaties may have been
prior to that date it is clear that thereafter they can
no longer have any application. They are a part of
history but we shall now look forward to the
implementation of the agreement rather than dwell on the
past.
CONFIDENTIAL