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firm foundation for Hong Kong's future as a Special
Administrative Region of China. But there are
some provisions which they would have preferred to have seen omitted or drafted differently.
(c) Sino-British Joint Liaison Group and Land Commission
5.
Plenary meetings of the Joint Liaison Group were held in
March 1990 in Peking, in September 1990 in London, and in
December 1990 in Hong Kong. There was a slow return to
business following the disruption in the Group's work in
1989. This process was helped by a gradual improvement in Sino-British relations during the same period.
6.
Three rounds of talks between experts were held in the
course of the year to discuss the establishment of the Court
of Final Appeal in Hong Kong. There were also useful
exchanges on the question of the convergence of civil
rights law in Hong Kong before and after 1997, and on the
provisions of the Joint Declaration relating to
nationality. The Group reached agreement in principle on
the detail of future arrangements for the surrender of
fugitive offenders between Hong Kong and relevant
countries. This cleared the way for the Hong Kong Government, under authorisation, to open negotiations with
other countries early in 1991. Further agreement was
reached on the localisation of UK legislation applied to
Hong Kong. Agreement was reached in principle on Hong
Kong's continued participation after 1997 in the activities
of the International Telecommunication Satellite
Organisation and the International Maritime Satellite
Organisation. Discussion continued on other issues
including the transfer of defence responsibilities and Hong
Kong's air services agreements. New items were introduced into the Joint Liaison Group agenda, including arrangements
for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and for the
protection and promotion of investment between Hong Kong and
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