CSOM(84) 36
C.
CONFIDENTIAL
COMMONWEALTH SENIOR OFFICIALS MEET ING
BRIDGETOWN, 12-14 DECEMBER 1984
Commonwealth Political
BRIEF NO 36
Hong Kong
POINTS TO MAKE
Copy No
1.
Sino-British agreement on Hong Kong's future initialled in
Peking on 26 September. Remarkable achievement on both sides.
Shows that most difficult international issues can be resolved with
cuurage, imagination and political will.
2.
Agreement comprises a Joint Declaration and three Annexes.
There is also an associated Exchange of Memoranda on status after
1997 of people who are now British Dependent Territories citizens.
Part of package as a whole.
3.
Key features of package:
Constitutes legally binding international agreement. Highest form of commitment between two sovereign stages.
Sets out clearly and in detail arrangements which will
prevail in Hong Kong after 1997. These based on
continuity of present systems and lifestyle. Thus
provide framework for secure and prosperous future for
Hong Kong people and in which international community
can have confidence.
Makes clear that policies spelt out
out for Hong Kong to be
stipulated in a Basic Law to be passed by National People's Congress of People's Republic of China and to
remain unchanged for 50 years from 1997.
14
CONFIDENTIAL
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