TNAG-1754-FCO40-2474-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 24

ARZADP

RESTRICTED

B:

IMPLEMENTATION OF JOINT DECLARATION

The Joint Liaison Group took Hong Kong as its principal base

with effect from 1 July, as provided in the Joint Declaration. This

will enable contacts to intensify and work on the implementation of the Joint Declaration to be stepped up. Regular contacts between the British and Chinese offices now based in Hong Kong have already

begun.

The Joint Liaison Group has been entrusted with the important task of implementing the Joint Declaration. It is carrying forward this work most effectively. In the three years of its existence it

has registered some important achievements. For example:

separate contracting party status for Hong Kong in the GATT;

Hong Kong's separate membership of or participation in a

number of other important international organisations, such as the

World Health Organisation; the International Maritime Organisation,

the International Labour Organisation, UNCTAD and the International

Atomic Energy Agency;

-

separate Air Service Agreements for Hong Kong with a number

of countries;

agreement in principle to a separate shipping register for

Hong Kong;

-

agreement to the continued use after 1 July 1997 of travel

and identity documents in use before that date.

agreement on new pension arrangements for Hong Kong civil servants and the judiciary.

Progress in matters such as these is of great importance in

sustaining confidence in Hong Kong.

RESTRICTED

B16