TNAG-1752-FCO40-2472-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 56

Chinese Governments. It represents the determination of both sides to resolve a problem deeply routed in history by producing an agreement, ratified by both governments, and by this Parliament, which is lodged at the UN in New York and is internationally

binding. It is an agreement which gives the people of Hong Kong a realistic hope, and I would venture to say, the expectation, of continuing stability and prosperity after 1997.

4.

We are working now to realise that goal through the full and

faithful implementation of all the provisions of the Joint

Declaration. We are undertaking a new and unprecedented task. This

requires a spirit of co-operation and good will between Britain and

China and a fair measure of flexibility and mutual understanding in overcoming specific problems as they arise. It also requires the proper involvement of the people of Hong Kong in this process, so as

to ensure that their views are taken fully into account at all

stages.

5. The Sino-British Joint Liaison Group, set up under the Joint Declaration, is the forum in which our consultations with the

Chinese take place. Its task is a daunting one: it has to cope with

a plethora of technical and practical detail all of which needs to

be satisfactorily covered before 1997. I am glad to report that the

Joint Liaison Group has made substantial progress since it began to

meet in 1985. We have reached agreement with the Chinese in a

number of important areas, such as Hong Kong's membership of certain

international organisations such as GATT; Air Services; and certain

nationality matters. The JLG is currently holding its ninth plenary meeting in Hong Kong at this moment and has, I again made useful progress. From 1 July 1988, the JLG will take Hong Kong

dersta

as its principal base, although plenary meetings will continue to

take place in rotation in Peking and London, in accordance with the

provisions of the Joint Declaration. The move to Hong Kong will nonetheless be an important step forward, and will signify further intensification of our working contacts with the Chinese on Hong

Kong.