IS
DAILY INFORMATION BULLETIN-SUPPLEMENT
ISSUED BY GOVERNMENT INFORMATION SERVICES BEACONSFELD HOUSE, HONG KONG TEL 5-233191
Following is the Address by the President, Sir Edvard Youde, ca "A Draft Agreement between The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and The Government of the People's Republic of China on the Future of Hong Kong" in the Legislative Council today, September 26, 1984.
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Earlier today ап agreement between the United Kingdom and the People's Republic of China was initialled on the future of Hong Kong. It is an historic agreement, which will govern the future of this territory for more than half a century to come. It is the outcome of two years of long and intensive negotiations. The objectives of the negotiations were set out at an early stage. They were elaborated in some detail by the Secretary of State, Sir Geoffrey Howe, when he visited Hong Kong in April this year, when he also spoke about the position which had been reached. in the, negotiations. In August he gave a further account of
of the progress made. Nevertheless, the length of the negotiations, and the confidentiality in which they have had to be conducted, have imposed a considerable strain on the people of Hong Kong, who have been understandably anxious to know. what arrangements will be made for their future.
I should like to pay tribute, to the resilience and forbearance which they have shown during this difficult period.
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br.The essential
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provisions of the
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agreement are these. The United Kingdom will continue to be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong until 1 July 1997.** On that date China will resume the exercise of sovereignty, and Hong Kong will become a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China with a high degree of autonomy. The agreement provides for the continuation of Hong Kong's unique social, economic, legal and other systems for 50 years... after 1997, and for a smooth transition to Hong Kong's new
status.
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Before I speak about the content of the agreement, should like
like to recall a few basic facts which formed the background to the negotiations and which shaped some of the provisions in the agreement itself.
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