TNAG-1329-FCO40-1756-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 98

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ARRANGEMENTS FOR TESTING THE ACCEPTABILITY IN HONG KONG dE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT

INTRODUCTION

1984

JAK

30/7. CM 316

>

1. In the reply which he gave on 18 July to the question tabled by the hon Member for Bromsgrove the Foreign Secretary outlined the arrangements that would be made

to test the acceptability in

on

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

OBJECTIVES

2. The objectives of the process of consultation will be:"

(a) to put a draft agreement

the Hong Kong people with a clear

explanation of its implications and

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