TNAG-1638-FCO40-2282-Future-of-Hong-Kong-withdrawal-of-the-British-garrison-1987 — Page 20

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entry into force of this Joint Declaration and 30 Jun 97,

the Government of the United Kingdom will be responsible

for the administration of Hong Kong with the object

of maintaining and preserving its economic prosperity and social stability; and that the Government of the PRC will give its cooperation in this connection".

b.

Post Withdrawal in 1997 (Section XII of Annex I).

"The maintenance of public order in the Hong Kong

Administrative Region shall be the responsibility of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government (4). Military forces sent by the Central People's Government

to be stationed in the Hong Kong SAR for the purpose

of defence shall not interfere in the internal affairs

of the Hong Kong SAR. Expenditure for these military

forces shall be borne by the Central People's Government."

In summary, HMG is responsible for maintenance of law and order

before withdrawal. Thereafter the SAR Government has the

responsibility.

CHINESE PERCEPTIONS AND INTENTIONS

26. The Chinese are much pre-occupied by the dangers associated

with instability in the transitional period. They have formally

indicated in the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group (JLG) that

they expect to be consulted very closely on the manner and timing

of the garrison withdrawal. Informally, Chinese officials have expressed the hope that withdrawal will not be precipitate. The FCO has stated that they expect the Chinese Government to hold the UK very closely to its responsibility for Hong Kong's administration right up to 1997, including in particular the ultimate responsibility for maintenance of internal security.

Note:

4. To permit distinction, the abbreviation "S&R" will be used to denote "Search and Rescue" throughout this paper.

COS S/184 (2)

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