under
administration was unacceptable to the Chinese Government
and that the talks would break down if the British
Government continued to insist on it. Since most of Hong
Kong would in any case under the Treaty pass
Chinese jurisdiction in 1997, the only way forward was to
explore the possibility of negotiating arrangements under Chinese sovereignty, which would command sufficient
confidence to ensure Hong Kong's future stability and
prosperity.
Liaison
When the Sino-British Joint Liaison Declaration was
finally agreed in September 1984, there was general
recognition both in the territory and internationally
that a document containing such detailed and
comprehensive provision for Hong Kong's future was the
best that could have been achieved in the circumstances
i