TNAG-1390-FCO40-1862-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 34

B THE HONG KONG AGREEMENT

1. The Agreement on Hong Kong's future which the Prime Minister and

the Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang signed on 19 December 1984 in Peking

marked the outcome of two years of intensive negotiations with the

agreed common aim of maintaining Hong Kong's stability and

prosperity. The international community has welcomed the Agreement

as showing how difficult international issues can be resolved

peacefully. Following the initialling of the Agreement on 26

September 1984, many Governments issued statements of support for

it.

2.

A note on the main provisions of the Agreement is attached. We

believe that the Agreement provides the best possible framework for

the continuing stability and prosperity of Hong Kong up to and after 1 July 1997, when British administrative responsibil;ity for Hong Kong will cease and Hong Kong will become a Special Administrative

Region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China. As such, it will

enjoy considerable autonomy and function essentially as

now.

3. The Hong Kong Act has passed through Parliament and received the

Royal Assent on 4 April. This enables us to ratify the Agreement

which states that instruments of ratification shall be exchanged

before 30 June 1985. The Act provides for:

(a) The termination of British sovereignty and jurisidiction

Hong Kong as from 1 July 1997;

(b)

(c)

Subsequent Orders in Council to amend British Nationality Law

and to adapt other laws affecting Hong Kong;

Privileges and immunities to be accorded in the UK to

to Chinese

members of the Joint Liaison Group which will be established in

accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

The Joint Liaison Group will be established

on the entry into force

of the Agreement to continue liaison, consultation and the exchange