TNAG-1327-FCO40-1740-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Ministerial-statements-1984 — Page 107

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PART 2

Annex II to the Joint Declaration : Sino-British Joint Liaison Group

4.55 The establishment of a Sino-British Joint Liaison Group to conduct consultations on the implementation of the Joint Declaration was generally supported by the people of Hong Kong. Views expressed have concentrated

on:

-its functions,

-its membership.

4.56 Important points made were:-

Any inadequacies or lack of clarity in the draft agreement should be dealt with by the Joint Liaison Group to ensure a smooth transfer of government in 1997, and to ensure that the “ 50 year no change policy would be implemented;

Hong Kong people should be represented on the Joint Liaison Group and should participate in its work and deliberations to avoid any possi- bility of interference with the administration in Hong Kong and thus undermining the authority of the Hong Kong Government during the transition period;

The Group should maintain close contact with local representative bodies and should keep the public informed of the progress of its work;

The Group should ensure that the new British Passport and the Hong Kong SAR Passport are recognized internationally;

The formation of sub-groups to study in detail the maintenance of Hong Kong as a separate customs territory; ways to gain recognition of Hong Kong's international status; policy on patents and copyright; policy and procedures regarding trading between the future Hong Kong SAR and other regions in China; and

The possibility for the Joint Liaison Group to operate beyond 2000 to 2047.

PART 3

Annex III to the Joint Declaration: Land Leases

4.57 This Annex was well received by the real estate sector, land owners, professionals such as estate surveyors, and the Heung Yee Kuk. By the nature of the subject and its importance to Hong Kong's economy, it attracted many comments and questions which focused on:

-payment of annual rent,

-lease arrangements,

-the limit of new land grant,

-the sharing of premium income,

-the Land Commission.

4.58 As regards payment of an annual rent equivalent to 3 per cent of the rateable value of the properties, concern was expressed that this arrangement might become an excessive burden because rateable value, to which the rent would be pegged, was likely to increase. To remove this

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