TNAG-1388-FCO40-1859-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Sino-British-Joint-Declaration-1985 — Page 243

NTD

Jay.

IN Powell Esq

HKD ECO

Tuathan,

RATIFICATION OF THE HONG KONG AGREEMENT

1.

British Embassy PEKING

13 February 1985

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1 HKK 040/12!

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22 FEB 1985

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Thank you for your letter of 29 January containing helpful background on the ratification process.

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2. I thought you would want a certified copy of the UK Memorandum as actually handed by the Prime Minister to Premier Zhao. Zhang Yu, who dealt with signature modalities in the MFA, insisted that the date should not be inserted on the top copy of the Memoranda and their translations until shortly before the ceremony itself to guard against the remote possibility of the documents being spoiled because signature of the Joint Declaration had to be delayed. and I, assisted by Tom Smith, therefore checked the Memoranda texts and inserted the appropriate date whilst the rest of our respective teams attended the meeting between the Prime Minister and Chairman Deng. This meant, however, that neither side held a copy of their Memorandum as exchanged as there was no opportunity to photocopy the finalized documents before they were exchanged by the two leaders. Zhang Yu has, however, provided me with copies of the UK Memorandum. one of which I have certified to be a true copy› This is enclosed with a copy of its Chinese translation which Tom Smith has certified to be a true copy, I hope these documents meet your needs.

3. The flaw in both sides' records had also not occurred to Zhang Yu who very much hopes that we can provide five good photocopies of the Chinese Memorandum and translation. I should be most grateful if Miss Shepherd, NTD, could let me have these copies as soon as possible.

You

ever,

D G Blunt First Secretary

cc: R P Margolis Esq, DPA, Hong Kong (with encls)

Miss Shepherd, NTD, FCO

F Burrows Esq, Legal Advisers, FCO

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