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security, travel, movement, legislation and implementation of various policies and all these have been spelt out in great details. On the whole, the concern of Hong Kong people have been considered by both Governments and have been incorporated into the agreement. The agreement also repeatedly mentioned that the legal system and the judicial system for this special administrative zone will be respected and apart from deleting the provisions that are not appropriate for the future Government, the status quo will be maintained. So, the future of Hong Kong is no longer something uncertain to us and we should give more suggestions on the Basic Law as well as other areas to the jointly liaison group. Mr. Chairman, I think that this agreement is acceptable and I support the motion.
MR. JOSEPH Y. S. CHAN (in Cantonese): Mr. Chairman, after the announce-ment of the joint declaration, I have spoken with some of the Southern District Board Members as well as representatives from local organization in Southern District and I have gathered some of their views and I am going to present them to you.
(1) To welcome the agreement between Chinese and British Governments
1. The peaceful and patient manner in which the question left over from the past is settled by the Governments of China and Britain does set a good example to other countries in the world. As Chinese, we feel proud and honoured and as Hong Kong belongers, we are grateful to the British delegation, in particular the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Edward YOUDE, who have taken such pains with their work in the past 2 years.
2. The detailed agreement shows both the Chinese and the British Governments truly understand the anxieties of the people of Hong Kong, accept their opinions and respect their wishes.
3. Both the Chinese and the British Governments have made their greatest efforts to devise such reasonable arrangements in respect of the future of Hong Kong.
4. The system of 'one country, two systems' will remove the contradictions between socialism and capitalism and will prove to be effective in maintaining the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, ensuring that Hong Kong will enjoy a high degree of autonomy under China's sovereignty and retain its life-style as well as existing systems for a further 50 years.
(2) Anxieties of the people of Hong Kong
1. Will the British Government do its best in good faith to effectively administer Hong Kong during the period between now and 30 June 1997?
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2. Both the Chinese and British Governments have promised to implement the Joint Declaration and its annexes which are binding on both parties, but what are the guarantees for their implementation and how are they binding upon the parties?
(3) Fears regarding the Chinese and British memoranda
Settlement of future nationality of the people of Hong Kong is not set out in an annex but in an exchange of memoranda, stating the position of each government on the issue. Unlike the Joint Declaration and its annexes, these memoranda may or may not be implemented, depending on the decision of each government. I am of the opinion that the Chinese and British Governments should reach an accord on the question of nationality of the people of Hong Kong which is to be implemented. If agreement cannot be reached on the issue, the memorandum of each government should be passed by its own legislature to ensure that it will be implemented by law.
On the other hand, the travel documents currently issued by the Hong Kong Government should be simplified. All British dependent territory citizens of Hong Kong or people having lived in Hong Kong for 7 years attaining 21 will be deemed citizens of Hong Kong and issued with a Hong Kong passport with which one may travel to all countries in the world without any visa. With the consent of the Chinese Government, the validity of these passports may go beyond 1997 and the passport holders may, after 1997, have their passports renewed or extended at the British Consulate in Hong Kong or elsewhere.
Those who have acquired citizenship on or after 1 July 1997 will be issued with a Hong Kong passport by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.
Many Hong Kong citizens are much disappointed by the British Government declaration that British dependent territory citizens of Hong Kong are not allowed to reside in the United Kingdom. So morally Britain should be responsible for seeking a solution to the question of nationality for the people of Hong Kong which must be to their interests.
(4) Drafting of the Basic Law
It is stipulated in the agreement that the policies as outlined in the Joint Declaration and its annexes will be incorporated in the provisions in the Basic Law which will be the constitution of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The laws of Hong Kong will be made under the Basic Law and the existing laws will continue to take effect unless they contravene the Basic Law.
The arrangement will effectively protect the rights of the people of Hong Kong and guarantee the continued rule of law in Hong Kong.
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