XN000022-1984-08-01 — Page 4

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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 1, 1984

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IT WILL CONTAIN ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTINUITY OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF PENSION RIGHTS.

IT WILL MAINTAIN HONG KONG'S SYSTEMS OF PORT MANAGEMENT, SHIPPING AND THE FREE OPERATION OF PRIVATE SHIPPING BUSINESS.

IT WILL ENABLE HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL AND MOVE FREELY INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG.

- IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG'S EDUCATION SYSTEM, WITH ITS WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. IT WILL PRESERVE THE PRESENT FREEDOM OF CHOICE OF EDUCATION AND THE FREEDOM TO PURSUE EDUCATION OVERSEAS,

- IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF ALL THE RIGHTS

AND FREEDOMS WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NOW ENJOY.

THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST. WORK IS STILL IN PROGRESS TO COVER SATISFACTORILY A NUMBER OF MATTERS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG'S WAY OF LIFE AND ECONOMY. I HAVE IN MIND, FOR EXAMPLE, LAND, CIVIL AVIATION AND NATIONALITY,

THERE HAS BEEN MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THE IDEA OF A JOINT GROUP AND THE ROLE IT MIGHT PLAY IN HONG KONG.

BEFORE I COME TO THIS, LET ME EMPHASISE ONE POINT THAT IS

THE FIRMLY AGREED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS. BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997. LET THERE BE NO DOUBT THAT WE SHALL FULFIL THAT RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT UP TO THAT DATE.

EVEN AGAINST THAT CLEAR BACKGROUND OF CONTINUING BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO 1997, EVERYONE RECOGNISES THE NEED FOR CLOSE CONSULTATION BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA. IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BENEFIT OF ARRANGEMENTS ESSENTIAL TO ITS TRADE AND ITS ECONOMY AND IF IN 1997 THERE IS TO BE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE IN GOOD TIME.

FOR THIS PURPOSE WE HAVE AGREED TO ESTABLISH A JOINT LIAISON GROUP. IT WILL COME INTO BEING WHEN THE AGREEMENT COMES INTO FORCE. IT WILL MEET IN PEKING, LONDON AND HONG KONG. LATER, FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, IT WILL ESTABLISH ITS PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG. IT WILL CONTINUE TO MEET IN LONDON AND PEKING AS WELL.

THE GROUP'S