dollar and the US dollar which was established in September 1983, has helped to provide a framework of stability and certainty which has benefited Hong Kong's external trade. The traditional entrepot
trade with China and the rest of East Asia has revived in recent
years and the container port is now the busiest in the world in terms of throughput. Investment in Hong Kong, particularly in plant
and machinery, has grown substantially. The economic interrelationship between Hong Kong and China has developed at a rapid pace: Hong Kong is now China's foremost trading partner and there is extensive co-operation between Hong Kong firms and enterprises in China, particularly its southern provinces. Hong Kong is now the most important source of outside investment in China, accounting for some two-thirds of such investment. The property market is buoyant; there has been a rapid growth in hotel construction in response to growing tourist demand. A new Exhibition and Convention Centre, one of the most advanced in the world, has been recently completed and should enhance Hong Kong's role as a regional business centre. The Hong Kong Government are embarking on a large number of ambitious new infrastructure projects; and the construction of a third University has begun.
17.
Today, Hong Kong is as dynamically successful as it has ever been; and its people are enjoying an unprecedented level of prosperity. Hong Kong has undoubtedly benefited from the generally favourable conditions of the world economy and from the open door policy of the Chinese Government. But by providing a clear and detailed blueprint for Hong Kong's future beyond 1997 and by creating the conditions in which economic relations between Hong Kong and China have been able to develop rapidly, the Joint Declaration has also contributed to this success.
VII:
18.
Implementation of the Joint Declaration
Since the signature and ratification of the Joint Declaration, the British and Chinese Governments have been fully engaged in the work of implementing its provisions. The main forum for this work
The terms of is the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group (JLG). reference for the JLG are prescribed in detail in Annex II to the Joint Declaration. Its functions are: