TNAG-1330-FCO40-1757-Future-of-Hong-Kong-test-of-the-acceptability-of-the-Joint-D-1984 — Page 35

ARTICLE 2 OF THE JOINT DECLARATION STATES THAT: ''THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM DECLARES THAT IT WILL PESTORE HONG KONG TO

THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA WITH EFFECT FROM 1. JULY 1997.' IN THI

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WAY THE SOVEREIGHTY QUESTION IS SATISFACTORILY SOLVED.

(111) AMONG THE CHINESE KIHABITANTS OF HONG KONG THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HOLD THE BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS PASSPORTS ** AS CHINESE CITIZENS. THEY HAVE HELD BRITISH PASSPORTS PRINCIPALLY FOR THE NEEDS OF BUSINESS TRAVEL ABROAD, TOURISM ABROAD AND HIGHER EDUCATION ABROAD. AT THE TIME OF FORMAL SIGNATURE OF THE AGREEMENT OUR GOVERNMENT WILL REAFFIRN IN A MEMORANDUM THAT, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONALITY LAW OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, ALL HONG KONG COMPATRIOTS ARE CHINESE CITIZENS WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE HOLDERS OF ''BRITISH DEPENDENT TEPRITORY CITIZENS PASSPORTS''. OUT OF CONSIDERATION FOR HONG KONG'S HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND PRESENT SITUATION CHINESE CITIZENS OF HONG KONG FORMERLY CALLED ''BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS'' WILL BE PERMITTED ON A VOLUNTARY BASIS, IN ADDITION TO BEING ABLE TO OBTAIN, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS, PASSPORTS OR OTHER TRAVEL DOCUMENTS OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION, TO USE A FORM OF TRAVEL DOCUMENT ISSUED BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAVELLING TO OTHER COUNTRIES AND REGIONS. BUT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT MAY NOT AFFORD CONSULAR PROTECTION TO SUCH PERSONS IN THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OR OTHER PARTS OF CHINA. IN THIS WAY, UNDER THE PRINCIPLE OF NOT INFRINGING OUR SOVEREIGNTY THIS QUESTION IS APPROPRIATELY SOLVED.

(IV) THE QUESTION OF LAND IN HONG KONG RELATES TO HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE INTERESTS OF THE MASSES. PROCEEDING FROM REALITY, WE AGREED THAT THE BRITISH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT MAY DURING THE TRANSITIONAL PERIOD GRANT LEASES WHICH EXTEND BEYOND 1997 FOR 50 YEARS. WE ALSO AGREED THAT LEASES OF LAND GRANTED BY THE DRITISH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT AND DUE TO EXPIRE IN 1997 MAY BE EXTENDED WITHOUT PREMIUM FOR 50 YEARS. ANNEX 3 TO THE JOINT DECLARATION SETS OUT RATIONAL PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE TOTAL LIMIT ON LAND TO BE GRANTED EACH YEAR AND ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME FROM IT. IT ALSO STIPULATES THAT FROM THE ENTRY INTO FORCE OF THE JOINT DECLARATION A LAND COMMISSION WILL BE ESTABLISHED IN HONG KONG COMPOSED OF OFFICIALS FROM THE CHINESE AND BRITISH SIDES. THE LAND COMMISSION WILL MONITOR AND EXAMINE THE APPLICATION OF THE ANNUAL LIMIT ON LAND TO BE GRANTED AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME FROM IT. THERE MUST BE AGREEMENT FROM THE CHINESE REPRESENTATIVES IF THE BRITISH HONG KONG GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO EXCEED THE ANNUAL 50 HECTARE LIMIT OR NEEDS TO DRAW ON THAT PART OF THE INCOME WHICH BELONGS TO THE FUTURE SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT. IN THIS WAY, NOT ONLY IS A PROPORTION OF FINANCIAL INCOME GUARANTEED FOR THE FUTUR

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SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION GOVERNMENT BUT ALSO THE CONTINUITY OF HONG KONG'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS MAINTAINED.

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