arrangements for Hong Kong's future, for at least 50
years after 1997, as a separate entity with its own way
of life intact; indeed a Hong Kong which would function
in almost every way after 1997 as it does now. Hong
Kong would remain as small capitalist enclave within a
huge communist country.
Among the Joint Declaration provisions were that:-
Hong Kong would have its own Government comprising
Hong Kong people, not people brought in from China;
the socialist system and socialist policies would not
be imposed on Hong Kong from China; nor would Hong
Kong pay taxes to China;
Hong Kong's capitalist system and its way of life
would continue, with all its human rights and
freedoms, it laws and its legal system, its own
freely convertible currency, its financial markets,
its free port and so on;
Hong Kong would have autonomy to govern itself and in
most fields to pursue its own policies. Foreign and
defence affairs would be the responsibility of the
sovereign power
-
China
-
Britain's responsibility.
just as they are now
But Hong Kong would
nevertheless be able to conduct its own relations
with other countries on matters such as trade,
culture and civil aviation, and conclude agreements