TNAG-1259-FCO40-1599-The-Future-of-Hong-Kong---special-study-by-FCO--August-1982--1983 — Page 60

SECRET

of the lease. The PRC claim that the Convention of 1898 is

another unequal treaty' and do not recognise the validity

of the lease. The UK has not admitted this claim. HMG

accept that the PRC is entitled to resume possession of

the New Territories when the international lease expires

in 1997.

notably

The Governor

3.

Hong Kong has its own constitution under the Hong

Kong Letters Patent 1917 to 1982 as supplemented by the

There is a Hong Kong Royal Instructions 1917 to 1980.

Governor (appointed by and responsible to HMG) who is

The Queen's representative in the colony and who is required

to act in accordance with the instructions of the Crown

through a Secretary of State. The Governor is head of the

executive government of Hong Kong and is advised by an

Executive Council, which he is required to consult except

( with certain exception

on unimportant matters or when the matter is too urgent to allow this). The Governor may act in opposition to the

advice of the Council but any such case (which would be

highly exceptional) must be reported to the Secretary of

State. This has not happened for many years.

- 2 -

/Degree

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