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Co-operation with China
I turn now to our relationship with China. Many Members have called for intensified efforts from the Administration as we move into the final phase of the transition. And rightly so. With only twenty months now left before 30 June 1997, there are still many issues important to people's livelihood, and to the economic and social development of Hong Kong, that need to be resolved quickly. Let me reaffirm our commitment to co-operate fully with China to ensure that these issues are resolved and that there is as smooth a transition as possible.
It goes without saying that we will continue to work towards the successful resolution of all items still on the JLG agenda. In this respect, I am glad that we have made some progress in JLG XXXIV, which has just ended in Peking earlier today.
On economic issues, we reached full agreement on the Intellectual Property regime to be applied to Hong Kong after 1997, including the localisation of Hong Kong's Registered Designs law, Patents law and Copyright law and the continued application of the Patent Co-operation Treaty after 30 June 1997. While CT 9 still remains to be resolved, the Foreign Ministers agreed last month that both sides should intensify their efforts to develop Hong Kong's container port. We will continue to work for a satisfactory resolution of this long-standing problem.
On legal issues, we agreed on the continued application to Hong Kong of two important civil aviation treaties on the carriage of goods by air, on one international convention оп telecommunications which completes the arrangements for guaranteeing Hong Kong's continued participation in the International Telecommunication Union, and on a bill to localise the U.K. legislation on whaling. We have also agreed a model text for bilateral treaties relating to the transfer of sentenced persons. Much still remains to be done, but I am sure it is the wish of both sides to intensify co-operation so that the important issues still remaining on the agenda can be resolved.
Many Members also spoke of the need to co-operate fully with the Preparatory Committee. As the Governor made clear in his Policy Address, we will offer every practical assistance to the Preparatory Committee. The Committee will play an important role in the establishment of the future Special Administrative Region Government. It is important, therefore, that there should be close co-operation between the Hong Kong Government and the Preparatory Committee. We will do our best to ensure that this is the case.