TNAG-1339-FCO40-1771-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 341

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ensure that the agreement works. And I bring from my talks in

Peking with the most senior Chinese leaders a similar commitment.

They assured me for their part that the agreement would be

faithfully implemented. discussions in Peking].

5.

[insert any usable quotation from the

I well understand some of the concerns on particular issues which have been expressed in Hong Kong since the agreement was published. Nationality is one of these issues. This was bound to be a difficult question, but it has been solved in a pragmatic way through an Exchange of Memoranda associated with the agreement. This will enable the practical benefits of the existing system to be preserved for the lifetime of the generation alive in 1997. Nothing

could justify the imposition by third countries of new restrictions

on the freedom of entry of Hong Kong people holding the new form of

passport and enjoying the new status described in the UK Memorandum.

I can assure you that the British Government regards it as part of

its continuing responsibility for Hong Kong to explain this fact

clearly to all the countries concerned. We will devote all

necessary efforts to doing so.

6.

Public discussion here on the draft agreement has

understandably dwelt on the importance of the Basic Law. I fully

agree about its importance. We already have the assurance that the

very full and detailed provisions of the Joint Declaration and its

annexes will be stipulated in the Basic Law. My discussions in

Peking have reassured me that the Chinese Government are fully aware

of the importance of the Basic Law, and of the concern in Hong Kong

that Hong Kong people should be consulted about it.

[Add any assurances abtained in the visit]).

7.

Britain's responsibilities are not limited to encouraging

other Governments to facilitate the smooth implementation of the

agreement. Our responsibility for the administration of Hong Kong

up to 1997 is clearly stated in the Joint Declaration. Throughout the negotiations our commitment to Hong Kong has been manifest.

that the agreement is signed, I pledge Her Majesty's Government's

fullest efforts in the years to 1997 to ensure that Hong Kong

continues to have a stable and responsive Government, administering

Now

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