SECRET
PART I
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
The
1.1 During the 19th century Britain concluded three Treaties with the then Chinese Government relating to Hong Kong. introduction to the Joint Declaration sets out the history of these Treaties and the background to the negotiations between HMG and China about the future of Hong Kong.
1.2 The Joint Declaration states that -
(a)
the Peoples Republic of China has decided to resume the exercise of sovereignty over HK with effect from 1 July 1997 (Article 1);
(b) HMG will restore HK to the Peoples Republic with effect
from that date (Article 2);
(၁)
(a)
the
Peoples Republic will set up a Special Administrative Region ("the SAR") in HK upon resuming exercise of sovereignty and has given various undertakings as to how the SAR will be governed (Article 3);
HMG and the Peoples Republic have declared that during the transitional period between the date of entry into force of the Joint Declaration and 30 June 1997 "the Government of the United Kingdom will be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong with the object of maintaining and preserving its economic prosperity and social stability; and
the Government of the
Peoples Republic of China will give its co-operation in this connection".
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