IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION
apply to Hong Kong. These include agreements on Hong Kong's continued participation in 30 international organisations, including the Asian Development Bank, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), the International Labour Organisation and the International Maritime Organisation.
Air Services Agreements
In order to maintain Hong Kong's status as an international civil aviation centre after 1997, there is an ongoing air services agreements (ASAs) separation programme, under which provisions involving Hong Kong in United Kingdom ASAS are separated into discrete Hong Kong ASAS. To date, Hong Kong has signed 10 ASAs, with the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Brunei, France, New Zealand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Brazil and Australia.
Surrender of Fugitive Offenders Agreements
Existing arrangements for the surrender of fugitive offenders will lapse with effect from July 1, 1997. Hong Kong has already embarked on a negotiation programme to establish a network of bilateral agreements, so as to prevent the territory from becoming a haven for criminals after 1997.
To date, Hong Kong has signed three agreements (with the Netherlands, Canada and Australia) and initialled four (with Malaysia, the Philippines, India and the United States of America).-
Mutual Legal Assistance Agreements
A network of bilateral agreements on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters will enable Hong Kong to receive assistance in the investigation and prosecution of criminal offences. Agreement from the Chinese side was given at the 30th JLG meeting in September for Hong Kong to start the negotiation programme. To date, Hong Kong has initialled one agreement (with Australia).
Localisation and Adaptation of Laws
The Joint Declaration provides that after the establishment of the SAR, the laws previously in force in Hong Kong shall be maintained, except for those that contravene the Basic Law, and subject to any amendment by the legislature of the SAR.
British laws which currently apply to Hong Kong will need to be localised and re-enacted as Hong Kong laws in order to survive July 1, 1997. About 32 localising bills are required to complete the whole programme.
So far, with agreement reached in the JLG, nine ordinances have been enacted and four bills have been introduced into the Legislative Council. The proposals in respect of two bills have been agreed upon with the Chinese side and will be introduced shortly. Work on the remainder continues.
The laws of Hong Kong also need to be reviewed and, if necessary, 'adapted' to ensure their compatibility with the Basic Law, so that they can continue to be in force after June 30, 1997.
During the year, both sides continued to exchange views on the localisation and adaptation of laws.
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