CPIAQQ(2)
I.
CONFIDENTIAL
MR WADDINGTON'S VISIT TO HONG KONG:
21-27 SEPTEMBER
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION/SINO-BRITISH
JOINT LIAISON GROUP
Background
1.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong
was signed by the Prime Minister and Premier Zhao Ziyang in Peking
on 19 December 1984. It entered into force on
and 27 May 1985
registered by both at the UN on 12 June 1985. Both Governments are firmly committed to its full implementation.
2.
In accordance with Annex II to the Joint Declaration, а
Sino-British Joint Liaison Group (JLG) has been established to continue the process of liaison and consultation between Britain and China until the year 2000. It will meet at least once a year in Peking, London and Hong Kong, and from 1988 will have its principal base in Hong Kong. The Group met for the
for the first time in London from
22-25 July 1985.
3.
on
number a
residents.
economic
The Group has now met on four occasions, most recently in London from 22-25 July 1986. It has held wide-ranging discussions
of subjects including Hong Kong's external
relations, the continued application of international rights and
obligations to Hong Kong, and travel documentation for Hong Kong
Agreement has been reached on Hong Kong's future participation in the Asian Development Bank, on how
to ensure Hong
Kong's future participation in the GATT, on the establishment of a separate Hong Kong shipping register, and on a number of issues relating to transitional arrangements for passports and travel documents. We have used the JLG meetings to brief the Chinese on
Hong Kong's plans
localise the civil service,
the to expand
to
police force, and to introduce a new pensions code.
CONFIDENTIAL