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- 19-
(a)
(b)
it will seek elucidation to ascertain how Britain who, as a co-signatory to the Joint Declaration, will ensure that the Joint Declaration will be implemented; if not, why not; and
the Administration will ask the British Government to re-assure the people of the territory that it remains committed to ensuring the implementation of the Joint Declaration; if not, why not?
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Answer:
Mr President.
Britain's role in implementing the JD is straightforward. The JD is a treaty which creates rights and obligations under international law. Those obligations are binding upon Britain and China and must be performed by them in good faith. Britain implements the obligations which it has assumed under the JD through a variety of diplomatic channels. In particular it will continue to conduct consultations with China through the JLG until 1 January 2000 in accordance with the JD. Thereafter, Britain will continue to have a responsibility to do all it can to ensure that the treaty is implemented fully and faithfully. We have full confidence that Britain will use every possible avenue to do so.
As for the second part of the question, the British Government has made clear many times that Britain is fully committed to discharging its obligations under the JD. For example, during the House of Commons debate on 27 April this year, referred to by Miss Lau, Mr Hurd said that "the British Government want to ensure the smoothest possible transition for Hong Kong and the fulfilment by both sides of what [was undertaken in] the Joint Declaration."
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I can assure Members that the HKG continues to keep the British Government fully informed of the feelings in Hong Kong on transitional issues. We will, of course, continue to relay to the British Government the concerns of Honourable Members and the community about Britain's responsibilities.
I can also assure Members that the HKG plays its part in the implementation of the JD. I am a Member of the JLG and HKG contributes significantly to the work of the JLG and in other Sino-British negotiations on Hong Kong.