E. TREATIES
CONFIDENTIAL
VALIDITY OF TREATIES?
203. The position of the United Kingdom has always been that the
three treaties are valid. The People's Republic of China disputes
that view. The draft agreement does not resolve this difference of
opinion and it has been set aside. The draft agreement provides for the restoration of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China with effect from 1 July 1997, and for HMG to be responsible for the administration of the territory before that date. Whatever the status of the three treaties may have been prior to that dte it is clear tht thereafter they can no longer have any application. are a part of history but we shall now look forwad to the implementation of the agreement rather than dwell on the past.
They
PRIME MINISTER'S INSISTENCE ON VALIDITY OF TREATIES MADE TALKS MORE
DIFFICULT?
204. It is true that there were differences between the two sides at the outset of the talks, on sovereignty and on other things. The Prime Minister said in her press conference in September 1982 that it was best under such circumstances to enter into talks in order to
arrive at an agreed solution. tht is exactly what has been done in the agreement and the associated memoranda.
E
CONFIDENTIAL
- 46
-
1
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.