TNAG-1456-FCO40-1980-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-report-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kong-1986 — Page 46

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The royal visit was undoubtedly greatly enjoyed by the Hong

Kong people. It was a symbol of the continuing commitment of the

United Kingdom to Hong Kong, in the period of transition up to 1997;

echoed by Her Majesty's own words to the people of Hong Kong: "AS

you move towards a new phase in your development, our thoughts will always be with you".

IV.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION

(a)

Contacts with the Chinese Government

10.

Over the past year there have been a number of

of meetings

between members of

of Her Majesty's Government and Chinese Ministers,

at which Hong Kong has been discussed. Both sides have reaffirmed

their commitment to the full and faithful implementation of the

Joint Declaration in the interests of maintaining Hong Kong's

prosperity and stability. The historic visit of

of Her Majesty The

Que en to China in October 1986 demonstrated the close and cordial

relationship between the United Kingdom and China, a relationship in

which agreement on the question of Hong Kong has played a

significant part.

(b)

11.

Sino-British Joint Liaison Group

The second, third, fourth and

fourth and fifth meetings of the Joint

Liaison Group have taken place during

during the period covered by this report. Good progress has been made in agreeing detailed practical

arrangements to enable Hong Kong to make a smooth transition from British Dependent Territory to Special Administrative Region of the

People's Republic of China in accordance with the Joint Declaration. The Group's principal achievements in this period have been:

(i)

Agreement that Hong Kong should be deemed a separate

contracting party to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and should continue in that status after 1997

in the name of "Hong Kong, China". Hong Kong

Kong duly

contracting party on 23 April

became the GATT's

1986.

91st

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