CONFIDENTIAL
that
with our review; but
we will continue to act with great
caution, and to take into account the provisions of the Joint
Declaration, in developing the territory's system of government.
3.
the 1987 Review.
Opinion in Hong Kong is now closely focussed on the question
of whether direct elections will be
introduced as a result of
into increasingly polarising
pro-
and anti-camps.
issue
has
importance
as
the
Local views are
The
assumed particular
in Hong Kong now may
see direct
Chinese
because some
elections
best bulwark against excessive
interference in Hong Kong after 1997; and also therefore see
the way the question is handled next year as a test of whether
HMG will resist any
Chinese "veto" on internal developments
Hong Kong before the transfer of sovereignty in 1997.
Joint Liaison Group
4.
been
act as
in
In accordance with Annex II to the Joint Declaration on the
future of Hong Kong, a Sino-British Joint Liaison Group (JLG) has
established to
Britain and China until the year 2000. It meets at least once a year in Peking, London and Hong Kong, and from 1988 will have
its principal base in Hong Kong.
a forum for liaison and consultation
between
5.
on
a
economic
The Group has now met on four occasions, most recently in
London from 22-25 July 1986. It has held wide-ranging discussions
number of
external subjects including Hong Kong's
relations, the continued application of international rights and
obligations to Hong Kong, and travel documentation for Hong Kong
residents. Agreement has been reached on Hong Kong's future
participation in the Asian Development bank, on how to ensure Hong
the GATT, on the establishment of a
register, and
on a number of issues
arrangements for passports and travel
JLG meetings to brief the Chinese on
the civil service, to expand the
a new pensions code.
Kong's future activity in
Hong Kong shipping separate
relating to transitional
documents.
We have used the
Hong Kong's plans to localise
police force, and to introduce
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