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IMPLEMENTATION OF JOINT DECLARATION
The Joint Liaison Group has been entrusted with the important
task of implementing the Joint Declaration. It is carrying forward this work most effectively. In the three years of its existence it
has registered some important achievements. For example:
separate contracting party status for Hong Kong in the GATT; Hong Kong's separate membership of or participation in a number of other important international organisations, such as the
World Health Organisation; the International Maritime Organisation, the International Labour Organisation, UNCTAD and the International
Atomic Energy Agency;
separate Air Service Agreements for Hong Kong with a number
of countries;
agreement in principle to a separate shipping register for
Hong Kong:
agreement to the continued use after 1 July 1997 of travel
and identity documents in use before that date.
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agreement on new pension arrangements for Hong Kong civil
servants and the judiciary.
Progress in matters such as these is of great importance in
sustaining confidence in Hong Kong. The Joint Liaison Group took Hong Kong as its principal base with effect from 1 July, as provided in the Joint Declaration. This will enable contacts to intensify
and work on the implementation of the Joint Declaration to be stepped up. Regular contacts between the British and China offices
now based in Hong Kong have already begun.
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