TNAG-1152-FCO40-1432-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-the-Commonwealth-1982 — Page 80

COMMONWEALTH PARLIAMENTARY ASSOCIATION

28TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

THE BAHAMAS : 16-22 OCTOBER 1982

Brief No.

THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG

Historical Background

1. Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula were ceded

to HMG in perpetuity by treaties in 1842 and 1860. The

New Territories, which comprise over 90% of the land area

and contain more than half the population, were leased to HMG

for 99 years in 1898. The lease is due to expire in

June 1997 unless other arrangements are made.

2. The Government of the People's Republic of China has

repeatedly stated that it regards the treaties as 'unequal'

and that it considers Hong Kong to be a historical accident,

which will be dealt with when the time is ripe. Recently,

however, it has become clear that the Chinese have accepted

to need to face up to the question of the future of Hong Kong.

Both sides have recently been studying the matter very

carefully.

Prime Minister's visit to China: September 1982

3.

After talks in Peking in September of this year between

the Prime Minister, Vice-Chairman Deng Xiaoping and

Premier Zhao Ziyang, the following announcement was made

on 24 September:

/ 'Today