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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1984
* IT PROVIDES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG TO
BE IN LOCAL HANDS, AND FOR THE EXECUTIVE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE TO AN ELECTED LEGISLATURE.
* IT PROVIDES FOR JUDICIAL POWER TO BE EXERCISED
INDEPENDENTLY AND FOR A PUBLIC SERVICE IN WHICH
APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTION WILL DEPEND ON QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ABILITY.
THE PRESERVATION OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND COURTS TO WHICH HONG KONG IS ACCUSTOMED IS FUNDAMENTAL TO THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG'S WAY OF LIFE. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR THIS.
APPEALS TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL WILL CEASE. WILL BE A COURT OF FINAL APPEAL IN HONG KONG.
INSTEAD THERE
THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE EQUAL VALIDITY WITH CHINESE IN THE COURTS.
THE WORK OF TRANSLATING THE LAWS OF HONG KONG INTO CHINESE IS NOW GOING AHEAD. THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE AS A WORLD, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL AND COMMUNICATIONS CENTRE. IT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONDUCTING ITS OWN EXTERNAL TRADE, HAVE ITS OWN FREELY CONVERTIBLE CURRENCY, AND ENJOY FREE FLOW OF CAPITAL WITHOUT EXCHANGE CONTROL. ALTHOUGH THE CENTRAL PEOPLE'S GOVERNMENT IN CHINA WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS EXTERNAL RELATIONS, HONG KONG WILL HAVE CONSIDERABLE AUTONOMY IN CONDUCTING RELATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES IN MANY IMPORTANT FIELDS. THERE ARE ARRANGEMENTS PERMITTING HONG KONG TO CONTINUE ITS PARTICIPATION IN THE GATT AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS, AND TO PARTICIPATE IN RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL
ORGANISATIONS.
THERE ARE PROVISIONS FOR HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO BE AN IMPORTANT CENTRE FOR SHIPPING AND CIVIL AVIATION.
THERE ARE FULL AND EXPLICIT PROVISIONS FOR THE PRESERVATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, INCLUDING THOSE SPECIFIED IN
THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENANTS ON CIVIL AND POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL RIGHTS.
FINALLY, SECURE ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE BOTH FOR
THE RECOGNITION OF EXISTING LAND LEASES AFTER 1997, AND FOR THE EXTENSION OF LEASES EXPIRING BEFORE 1997, AND FOR THE GRANTING OF NEW LEASES FOR TERMS OF UP TO FIFTY YEARS BEYOND 1997.
THESE ARE ONLY THE BROAD OUTLINES. THERE IS MUCH MORE DETAIL IN THE AGREEMENT.
SO FAR I HAVE DEALT WITH THE FUTURE AFTER 1997. BUT THE NEXT TWELVE YEARS ARE ALSO CRUCIAL FOR HONG KONG.
/INTERJECTION:
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