UNCLASSIFIED
NATO EXPERT WORKING GROUP MEETING
HONG KONG
1.
were
of Hong Kong
Two years
years of difficult negotiations on the future
successfully resolved with the initialling of the Sino-British
agreement in Peking on 26 September. The agreement was warmly
welcomed by the international community as an example of the way in
which difficult international problems can be successfully resolved.
renewed) Business and financial circles showed record confidence in the
territory and the Hang Seng Index has continued to climb steadily
The since initialling.
2.
An
The people of Hong Kong were given an opportunity to express
their views on the draft
agreement in October and November.
Assessment Office was appointed to collate and assess these views.
I t reported on 29 November that most of the people of Hong Kong
found the draft agreement acceptable. Its conclusion was confirmed
by an Independent Team of Monitors appointed to oversee the Office's
work.
3.
December and endorsed the
The British Parliament debated the agreement in light of the
views of the people of Hong Kong
in
British Government's decision to sign the agreement. Mrs Thatcher,
accompanied by Sir Geoffrey Howe,
Sir Geoffrey Howe, visited Peking on 19 December to
reaffirm sign the agreement. Chinese leaders used the opportunity to stress
that China
would act in good faith and live up to its international
commitments.
4.
Both the British and Chinese sides are now moving to ratify and
implement the agreement. A Hong Kong Bill has
has been introduced into
the British Parliament providing for the termination of British
Sovereignty and jurisdiction over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997. The
agreement stipulates
must take place before 30
that
ratification
June 1985.
UNCLASSIFIED