TNAG-1388-FCO40-1859-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Sino-British-Joint-Declaration-1985 — Page 92

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WHY WAS IT NECESSARY TO CONSULT THE CHINESE OVER THE

COMPOSITION OF OUR TEAMS FOR THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND LAND

COMMISSION? DOES THE AGREEMENT NOT MAKE CLEAR THAT EACH SIDE

HAS THE RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY TO DESIGNATE ITS OWN MEMBERS?

8. THE AGREEMENT DOES NOT TOUCH ON THE QUESTION OF CONSULTATION. BUT

IT IS NATURAL AND NORMAL FOR STATES TO TAKE ACCOUNT OF ONE

ANOTHER'S VIEWS ON SUCH MATTERS.

amps anded ammended

by

Feo tel

CHINESE

WHY DID THE CHA

ACCEPT MR CHAN'S APPOINTMENT TO THE

LAND COMMISSION AS A BDTC, WHEN THEY DID NOT ACCEPT MR HO AS A

BDTC ON THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP?

9. A QUESTION FOR THE CHINESE.

(UNATTRIBUTABLE).

THE LAND COMMISSION IS A MORE TECHNICAL BODY

THAN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP: THE LATTER HAS A HIGHER POLITICAL

PROFILE.

DATES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP AND

LAND COMMISSION AND SUBJECTS TO BE DISCUSSED.

10.'ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEETINGS WILL BE MADE IN

DUE COURSE'

(UNATTRIBUTABLE). THE FIRST MEETING OF THE

JOINT LIAISON GROUP IS LIKELY TO BE IN LONDON IN JULY.

FOR UNATTRIBUTABLE USE.

IF IT IS ALLEGED THAT THE GRANT OF BRITISH CITIZENSHIP TO ERIC

HO REPRESENTS A BRITISH CLIMBDOWN IN THE FACE OF CHINESE

PRESSURE:

11. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT'S PRIMARY AIM WAS TO SECURE MR HO'S

INCLUSION IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP. THAT HAS BEEN ACHIEVED. CHINESE ACCEPTANCE OF HIM ONLY AFTER HE HAD ACQUIRED BRITISH CITIZENSHIP DOES NOT REPRESENT A BRITISH CLIMBDOWN. DURING

THE NEGOTIATION OF THE HONG KONG AGREEMENT WE SET ASIDE OUR DIFFERENCES WITH THE CHINESE OVER THE NATIONALITY STATUS OF HONG KONG BDTCS OF CHINESE ETHNIC ORIGIN USING THE DEVICE

OF AN EXCHANGE OF MEMORANDA IN WHICH THE TWO SIDES SET OUT THEIR RESPECTIVE, DIFFERING VIEWPOINTS. THE SOLUTION TO MR HO'S INCLUSION IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP IS ANALOGOUS.

BACKGROUND

12.

THE AGREEMENT STIPULATES THAT RATIFICATION SHALL TAKE PLACE IN PEKING BEFORE 30 JUNE. BOTH SIDES HOWEVER WISHED TO RATIFY

BEFORE THE VISIT OF PREMIER ZHAO ZIYANG TO THE UK FROM 2-8 JUNE.

ALL LEGAL PROCEDURES NECESSARY FOR RATIFICATION HAVE BEEN

COMPLETED.

HOWE

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