TNAG-1391-FCO40-1863-Future-of-Hong-Kong-briefing-for-meetings-and-visits-1985 — Page 111

MELAAV

CONFIDENTIAL

4

LADY YOUNG'S VISIT TO CANADA, MAY 1985

HONG KONG

POINTS TO MAKE (IF HONG KONG IS RAISED)

A.

1.

HONG KONG AGREEMENT GENERALLY

CONDEMNING FIVE AND A HALF MILLION PEOPLE TO LIVE UNDER

COMMUNISM

No.

Although the Hong Kong SAR will be under Chinese sovereignty, the agreement makes quite clear that the socialist system and policies of the rest of China will not be practised there, and that Hong Kong's system and lifestyle will remain unchanged for 50 years.

2. WILL CHINESE STICK TO AGREEMENT

Formal and binding international agreement to which both sides have strongest incentives to adhere. No reason to believe that Chinese Government will breach an agreement they have freely entered into. China is justifiably proud of its record in meeting obligations under international agreements.

RATIFICATION AND ENTRY INTO FORCE

B.

3.

It was

announced simultaneously in London and in Peking on 21 May that instruments of ratification will be exchanged in Peking on 27 May 1985. The Agreement will enter into force on that date.

WILL AGREEMENT BE REGISTERED AT THE UN?

4. Yes. We shall register it at the UN in accordance with normal international practice.

C. JOINT LIAISON GROUP

5.

Annex 2 to the Joint Declaration makes provision for a

Sion-British Joint Liaison Group (JLG) to be established on the

entry into force of the Joint Declaration. The JLG's functions will

be:

CONFIDENTIAL