TNAG-1390-FCO40-1862-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 129

CHURCH HOUSE INTERNATIONAL MEETING: 16 JANUARY 1985

HONG KONG

POINTS TO MAKE

1.

Agreement on future of Hong Kong signed by Prime Minister

Premier

and

Zhao Ziyang in Peking on 19 December. Government satisfied

that agreement provides necessary assurances for future of Hong

Kong. Now moving to ratification before 30 June 1985. Hong Kong

Bill will receive its second reading in House of Commons on 21

January.

2.

freedoms. Annex I,

Agreement particularly strong on rights and

section XIII guarantees that rights and freedoms as provided for in

laws of Hong Kong will continue.

Provisions of International

Covenants on Civil and Political and Economic, Social and Cultural

Rights as applied to Hong Kong will also continue.

20

and

3. List of rights explicitly includes religious freedom. Religious organisations

maintain relations with organisations

May continue to run schools, hospitals and

may

believers elsewhere.

welfare institutions.

4.

Agreement contains much detail. Report of Assessment Office

clearly shows that it was acceptable to majority of people in Hong

Kong.

Of course not every aspect acceptable to every person.

Reservations recorded

Assessment Office Report wil1 be borne in

mind by government in discussions with Chinese government.

5.

in

agreement.

Every reason to believe Chinese will implement

Chinese have acknowledged that it is a legally binding international

agreement. China justifiably proud of record in meeting obligations

under international treaties.