application of international treaties and agreements to
Hong Kong, and the localisation of UK legislation now applied directly in the territory. Difficult discussions lie ahead on the disposal of lands and facilities now used by the British garrison; on Hong Kong's own system of Air Service Agreements and Extradition agreements; and
on arrangements for the transition through 1997.
We are
on schedule so far; but in order to keep up the momentum we shall need to sustain steady pressure on the Chinese at all levels and to continue the process of educating them about the realities and sensitivities of Hong Kong
a process which of course began with the negotiations of the Joint Declaration. We shall continue to negotiate firmly and toughly while seeking to avoid public confrontation which serve only to undermine confidence in
Hong Kong.
Basic Law
The drafting of the Basic Law is the responsibility of a Basic Law Drafting Committee (BLDC) on which Hong Kong people have minority representation. The first draft was published in April 1988 after 2 years work and submitted for several months public consultation in Hong Kong. A second, revised draft will be published shortly
for further public consultation. The final version is due to be promulgated by the National People's Congress of the PRC in 1990.
The Basic Law falls naturally into two parts: those provisions which directly correspond to specific provisions in the Joint Declaration; and those which amplify the Joint Declaration; for example in areas such as the section on the political system where the Joint Declaration is couched in very general terms.
By far the