CONFIDENTIAL
Parliamentary debate will take place shortly thereafter. The intention is that signature should take place before end of year. Under terms of agreement, ratification will take place before 30
June 1985.
24. CONTENT OF LEGISLATION?
Main
Precise content of legislation has yet to be determined. provision will of course concern restoration of Hong Kong to China with effect from 1 July 1997.
25. WHAT IF PARLIAMENT DOES NOT APPROVE AGREEMENT OR DECLINES TO
PASS NECESSARY LEGISLATION?
Hypothetical questions. In the White Paper HMG commends the
agreement to Parliament in very clear terms.
26. WHY DID YOU NOT PRESS FOR SOME FORM OF BRITISH ADMINISTRATION
EVEN UNDER CHINESE SOVEREIGNTY?
Did indeed press in negotiations for continued British administration after 1997. Only when it became clear that this was not attainable did we explore Chinese concept of Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. Believe that present agreement
agreement fully provides for continuity of Hong Kong's systems and way of life.
27.
WHY DID HMG COMPLICATE NEGOTIATIONS BY PRESSING FOR CONTINUED
BRITISH ADMINISTRATION?
People of Hong Kong would have expected nothing less of HMG. But
this was not attainable.
28.
AGREEMENT FOR DATE 13 YEARS IN FUTURE UNREAL?
The agreement is of course a unique one. Dealing with a known time
limit fixed by duration of New Territories lease. Essential that
arrangements for future should be settled and known well in advance. Important to establish climate of stability in Hong Kong in which people of Hong Kong can plan ahead.
II ANNEX I: GENERAL
29. HOW MUCH HAS THE BRITISH SIDE ADDED TO POLICIES UNILATERALLY
CONFIDENTIAL
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