SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
prospect. The Agreement was widely welcomed
internationally as a a major diplomatic achievement.
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PRIVACY MARKING
In Confidence
IV:
Consultation with the British Parliament
10. The British Parliament took a close interest in the
progress of the negotiations and in the Joint Declaration
itself. There were debates on Hong Kong in October and
November 1983 and in May 1984. The draft Agreement was
presented to Parliament in a White Paper in September
1984. The draft was examined by Parliament in December
1984: in a thorough and wide ranging debate, the
overwhelming majority of speakers expressed the view that
the agreement was an excellent one which provided a sound
basis for a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong
after 1997. The Joint Declaration was signed by the
British and Chinese Governments on 19 December 1984. The
Hong Kong Act 1985, providing for the ending of British
sovereignty and jurisdiction over Hong Kong on 30 June
1997, was passed by Parliament and received the Royal
Assent on 24 April 1985.
V:
Analysis of the Joint Declaration
11. The Agreement entered into force on 27 May 1985,
when instruments of ratification were exchanged in Peking
between the British and Chinese Governments.
On
12 June 1985 it was registered at the United Nations by
the two governments, simultaneously.