TNAG-1329-FCO40-1756-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 171

+IKK040/46

RESSTVLO IN

ARRANGEMENTS FOR TESTING THE ACCEPTABILITY IN HONG KONG JELA984

AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT

INTRODUCTION

1.

JAK,

30/2 CM 317

In the reply which he gave on 18 July to the question

the question tabled by the hon Member for Bromsgrove the Foreign Secretary outlined the

arrangements that would be made to test the acceptability in

Hong Kong of any agreement reached with the Chinese Government the future of the territory. This paper describes these proposed

arrangements

in more detail.

on

OBJECTIVES

2.

The objectives of the process of consultation will be:

(a) to put a draft agreement to the Hong Kong people with a clear

explanation of its implications and

its implications and to ascertain whether or not it is acceptable to them;

(b) to provide Her Majesty's Government and Parliament with an

accurate analysis and assessment of opinion in Hong Kong on the Agreement, and on the arrangements for the future of Hong Kong which it will set out, before the decision is taken to sign the draft

Agreement.

PROPOSED ARRANGEMENTS

3.

It is proposed that the draft agreement should be published in the United Kingdom as part of a White Paper immediately after it has been initialled. This White Paper will be published simultaneously in Hong Kong in English and Chinese and will also include:

(a) an account of the background to the negotiations leading up to the draft agreement

and

(b) an explanation of the provisions of the draft Agreement and

their implications.

The White Paper will be formally introduced by the Governor in the