TNAG-1603-FCO40-2210-Future-of-Hong-Kong-annual-reports-to-Parliament-on-Hong-Kon-1987 — Page 211

9.

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 0 มก words to the people of Hong Kong: "As

towards a new phase in your development, our thoughts will

always be with you".

you move

IV.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE JOINT DECLARATION

(a)

Contacts with the Chinese Government

10.

Over the past

between members 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 Her Majesty The

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

relationship between the United Kingdom and China,

the United Kingdom and China, a relationship in

which agreement on the question of Hong Kong has played

significant part.

year there have been a number of meetings

(b)

Sino-British Joint Liaison Group

11.

The second, third, fourth and fifth meetings of the Joint

Liaison Group have taken place 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 duly

became the GATT'S 91st contracting party on 23 April

1986.