TNAG-1332-FCO40-1762-Future-of-Hong-Kong-White-Paper-on-the-Joint-Declaration-1984 — Page 185

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VIEWS OF HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT ON THE AGREEMENT

ensure

26. As recorded in para 10 above, the Government have sought to see whether on the basis of proposals put forward by the Chinese Government arrangements could be constructed which would lasting stability and prosperity for Hong Kong. They have negotiated energetically and they believe successfully to secure an agreement which meets the needs and

the needs and wishes of the people of Hong Kong. The negotiations have been hard and long, and subject to the common aim of both sides to maintain stability and prosperity in Hong Kong, have also needed to take account of the political requirements of both sides. Taking the agreement as a whole the Government are satisfied that it does provide a framework in which the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong can be maintained after 1997 as a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.

27. The negotiators have at all times taken into account the views expressed during the negotiations by the Hong Kong people and their interests. The text of the agreement has been initialled by both sides. This is simply a certification by the negotiators that it represents accurately the outcome of the negotiations. However, as is normal with international agreements negotiated between mations

there is no realistic possibility of amending the text. The agreement must be taken as a whole. In addition the Chinese Government has made it clear that once the agreement has been initialled and published they are not willing to entertain proposals

however,

for amendment.

of

28. The Government have a duty to make clear beyond any possibility of misunderstanding the alternative to acceptance of the agreement set out in this White Paper. In their view, there is no possibility

an improved agreement. The alternative to acceptance of the present agreement is to have no agreement at all. In this case the Chinese Government have made it plain that negotiation would

be at

an

end and that they would publish their own plan for Hong Kong. There is no guarantee that such a unilateral plan would include all the elements included in the draft agreement, nor would it have the

same status as a legally binding agreement between the two

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