CONFIDENTIAL
000414
MDLOAN 4601
(V)
(VI)
2.
AGREEMENT THAT DOCUMENTS OF IDENTITY ISSUED TO HONG KONG RESIDENTS FOR THE PURPOSES OF OVERSEAS TRAVEL BEFORE 1 JULY 1997 WITH THE NORMAL SEVEN YEAR VALIDITY PERIOD MAY AS FROM THAT DATE, CONTINUE TO BE USED UNTIL EXPIRY. THIS WILL AVOID UNNECESSARY DISRUPTION IN THIS IMPORTANT AREA ON 1 JULY 1997.
GOOD PROGRESS IN DISCUSSIONS ON THE IMPORTANT SUBJECT OF THE DEFENCE OF HONG KONG AND THE MAINTENANCE OF ITS PUBLIC ORDER. THE TWO SIDES AGREED IN PRINCIPLE THAT THE HONG KONG POLICE FORCE SHOULD UNDERGO APPROPRIATE LIMITED EXPANSION TO ENABLE IT TO DISCHARGE ITS RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC ORDER BEFORE AND AFTER 1997. THE FIRST PRACTICAL STEPS WILL TAKE PLACE SHORTLY IN HONG KONG. THE EXISTING AUXILIARY AIR FORCE WILL BE REORGANISED TO FORM A CIVIL GOVERNMENT FLYING SERVICES DEPARTMENT, WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROVIDING THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT WITH THE NECESSARY FLYING SERVICES.' AN UNDERSTANDING WAS ALSO REACHED BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES ON THE PROVISIONAL PLANS FOR THE PHASED WITHDRAWAL OF THE BRITISH GARRISON FROM HONG KONG. HER MAJESTY'S GOVERNMENT'S PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IN THIS CRUCIAL AND SENSITIVE AREA IS TO ENSURE THAT HONG KONG'S SECURITY AND STABILITY IS MAINTAINED THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD UP TO 1997, AND THAT SUITABLE ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE FOR DEFENCE AND PUBLIC ORDER THEREAFTER ON THE BASIS OF THE PROVISIONS IN THE JOINT DECLARATION.
ON THE BASIS OF EARLIER DISCUSSIONS IN THE JOINT LIAISON GROUP NEGOTIATIONS ARE CONTINUING WITH A NUMBER OF HONG KONG'S AVIATION PARTNERS TO CONCLUDE SEPARATE HONG KONG AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS, CAPABLE OF REMAINING IN FORCE AFTER 1997. THE FIRST SUCH AIR SERVICE AGREEMENT, BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS, CAME INTO FORCE ON 25 JUNE 1987. IN THE AREA OF TRAVEL AND IDENTITY DOCUMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS PREVIOUS AGREED IN THE GROUP WERE PUT INTO EFFECT IN HONG KONG ON 1 JULY 1987.
OTHER TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THE GROUP AND IN EXPERT MEETINGS OVER THE YEAR INCLUDED THE LOCALISATION OF STATUTES APPLYING TO HONG KONG AND FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE JUDICIARY IN THE TERRITORY, AND THE TWO SIDES EXCHANGED VIEWS ON THE PROGRESS OF THE POLITICAL REVIEW IN HONG KONG ON THE BASIS OF INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE BRITISH SIDE.
4.
WORK IN THE GROUP AND AMONG EXPERTS WAS AGAIN CHARACTERISED
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CONFIDENTIAL
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