TNAG-1311-FCO40-1673-Future-of-Hong-Kong-1984 — Page 156

CONFIDENTIAL

DRAFT ARTICLE ON HONG KONG AGREEMENT FOR HOUSE OF COMMONS MAGAZINE

1.

On 26 September the draft agreement between the British and

Chinese Governments on the future of Hong Kong was initialled in

Peking by the chief negotiators of each side. The agreement was the

outcome of two years of tough negotiations that followed the Prime

Minister's meeting with Chinese leaders in Peking in September 1982.

2. Although the initialling took place under the glare of

publicity, the negotiations themselves had by contrast been

conducted behind closed doors. Strict confidentiality was

essential to the success of the talks, but it must be recognised that this made the task of consulting Parliament on the negotiations more difficult. Nevertheless statements by the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary on the course of negotiations, made in Hong Kong in April and August 1984, were brought to the attention of the

House. Members had an opportunity to debate Hong Kong in October and November 1983 and again in May 1984. Part of the Foreign Affairs Debate in March 1984 was also devoted to Hong Kong. The

text of the draft agreement itself was presented to Parliament,

together with explanatory material, in a White Paper. This week the House will have a further opportunity to debate the draft agreement.

3.

The draft agreement consists of:

A Joint Declaration in which the United Kingdom declares that it will restore Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997, the Chinese Government declares in broad outline its policies towards Hong Kong, and the two Governments agree to implement these declarations

and the annexes.

Annex I in which the Chinese Government expands on different aspects of its policies towards Hong Kong

after 1997 in 14 sections.

Annex II which sets out the terms of reference and outline working arrangements for the Joint Liaison Group

CONFIDENTIAL