RESTRICTED
HKCC 011/1
RECEIVED IN REGISTRY
28 JAN 1993
RESTRICTED
FM HONG KONG
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
TO PRIORITY FCO
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
TELNO 114
OF 270443Z JANUARY 193
INFO PRIORITY PEKING, UKREP JLG HONG KONG
113776
MDLIAN 0264
TOP COPY
Q DIST?
میں
CORRECTION TO PARA 3
LEGCO QUESTION: DR CONRAD LAM
1.
DR CONRAD LAM CUDHK, KOWLOON CENTRAL) HAS TABLED A QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY AT LEGCO ON 3 FEBRUARY 1993
'AS BRITAIN WILL NO LONGER HAVE SOVEREIGNTY OVER HONG KONG AFTER 30 JUNE 1997, WILL THE GOVERNMENT INFORM THIS COUNCIL OF THE SPECIFIC MEANING OF 'BRITAIN'S MORAL OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AFTER 30 JUNE 1997': AND THE VARIOUS MEASURES WHICH WOULD BE TAKEN BY THE GOVERNMENT TO ENSURE THE FULFILMENT OF SUCH OBLIGATIONS?'
2.
THE QUOTATION 'BRITAIN'S MORAL OBLIGATIONS TOWARDS THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG AFTER 30 JUNE 1997' ECHOES COMMENTS I MADE ON THREE OCCASIONS IN 1992. COPIES OF THE RELEVANT EXCHANGES HAVE BEEN FAXED TO RICKETTS, HKD.
3. WE PROPOSE TO ANSWER AS FOLLOWS
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'BRITAIN'S PRINCIPAL OBLIGATION WITH RESPECT TO HONG KONG AFTER 1997 WILL BE TO ENSURE THAT THE JOINT DECLARATION IS FULLY AND FAITHFULLY IMPLEMENTED. BRITAIN WILL BE ENTITLED TO TAKE UP WITH THE PRC ANY QUESTIONS IT MAY HAVE IN RELATION TO THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS CONTAINED IN THE JOINT DECLARATION. MOREOVER, IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 8 OF ANNEX II OF THE JOINT DECLARATION, THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP WILL CONTINUE TO CONSULT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION UNTIL JANUARY 2000.'
4 GRATEFUL FOR VIEWS DESKBY 010OZ 2 FEBRUARY.
MACLEOD
YYYY
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