KINAAO
Mr Paul
W/ 1%
PS/Mr Mande
15 JUN
I submit a draft reply
ullo stere мм
MV Stone
FNM Pusinelli Esq
Chairman
Overseas Service Pensioners' Association
63 Church Road
Hove
Sussex BN3 2BD
(Issu
Thank you for your further letter of 25 April about HMOCS members in Hong Kong.
I note what you say about the Joint Declaration. We are agreed that the situation in Hong Kong is different from that of those former British Territories which moved towards independence. However, I do not accept that the transition of Hong Kong to a Special Administrative Region of China will create a situation for HMOCS members which is materially different, as regards continuity of service, from that of HMOCS members who served in other former British territories which subsequently became independent states. The Joint Declaration enshrines an obligation on the successor sovereign to provide continuing service and preservation of the terms of service, for public servants previously serving in Hong Kong. In addition, China has reflected its undertakings in the Basic Law it has established for Hong Kong.
I do not believe that I have underestimated the significance of the ineligibility of non-Chinese nationals to serve in certain posts and