TNAG-1333-FCO40-1765-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-1985 — Page 300

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DSR 11C

originally proposed that the agreement should stipulate

that the exchange of instruments of ratification should

take place within 30 days of signature. We have

explained to them that ratification can only follow

Legislation in the British Parliament to allow the United

Kingdom to divest itself of sovereignty. The Chinese

appear to accept this, but insist that we should include

within the Agreement (to be called a Joint Declaration) a

date for ratification. We ourselves think that early

ratification is important to put an end to uncertainty in

Hong Kong.

In all the circumstances my considered view is that July

1985 is the latest date which we could reasonably put to

the Chinese for ratification. Even this will not be

easy for them. It is clear that they attach considerable

importance to this point and a row about it could well

make the conclusion of the agreement more difficult. But

before we do agree to insert the date of July 1985 into

the Joint Declaration, we will need your agreement that

the necessary legislation can be completed by the end of

June 1985.

We have in mind a short bill, essentially dealing with

the termination of British sovereignty over Hong Kong as

from 1 July 1997. We shall try to avoid the necessity

for it to deal with other matters, such as nationality,

which might complicate its passage, and are in my view

better left until the dust settles at a later date. We

however be absolutely certain which aspects the

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