17-NOV-1993 16:16
BC-G
PERTH
:
09 221 1944
P.02
17 November, 1993.
Mr Cheung Fan
Albany Regional Prison, Albany WA
British Consulate-General Perth
Level 26, Allendale Square 777 St George's Terrace Perth, Western Austrália 6000
Telephone: 221-4422 - Fax: 221 1944. Telex: AA 92493
One of the matters about which you expressed concern when I visited you in August, was about the country to which you could expect to be deported, on your release m 1997
I now have some guidance on this.
Under the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the Basic Law Hong Kong is expected to enjoy a high degree of autónomy after 1997. China has undertaken not to impose the socialist system and socialist policies on Hong Kong for a period of fifty years. Upon the resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong the Chinese government willl establish the Hong Kong Special Administrative region of the People's Republic of China (SAR). Except for foreign and defence affairs which will be the responsibilities of the Chinese government, the Hong Kong SAR shall be vested with executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication: Hong Kong's way of life, with all its human rights and freedoms, its laws and legal system will remain basically unchanged.
In effect,
this should mean that prisoners who currently would expect upon release to be deported to Hong Kong, still can expect to be deported to Hong Kong after 1997 when their sentences have been served, and need not fear any worse conditions in Hong Kong than are prevailing there now.
I trust that this answers your question and allays your concern. If it has not done so, you are quite free to raise the issue with me again.
I am copying this letter to Mr. Courtis of Claudio, Shaw, whom I understand to be your solicitor.
R. J. Andrews