TNAG-1840-FCO40-2615-House-of-Commons-Select-Committee-on-Foreign-Affairs-enquiry-1989 — Page 127

VII:

SECURITY CLASSIFICATION

DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)

Implementation of the Joint Declaration

Top Secret

Secret

Confidential

Restricted

Unclassified

PRIVACY MARKING

18.

Since the signature and ratification of the Joint

Declaration, the British and Chinese Governments have

been fully engaged in the work of implementing its

provisions. The main forum for this work is the

Sino-British Joint Liaison Group (JLG). The terms of

reference for the JLG are prescribed in detail in Annex

II to the Joint Declaration. Its functions are:

In Confidence

(a)

(b)

(c)

to conduct consultations on the

implementation of the Joint Declaration;

to discuss matters relating to the

smooth transfer of Government in 1997;

to exchange information and conduct

consultations on such subjects as may

be agreed by the two sides.

19.

Annex II also lays down in broad terms the agenda

for the JLG during the period between its establishment

and 1 July 1997. Matters for consideration during this

period include action to be taken by the two Governments

to enable the future Hong Kong Special Administrative

Region to maintain its economic relations as a separate

customs territory including its participation in the

GATT, action to ensure the continued application of

international rights and obligations affecting Hong Kong,

procedures to be adopted for a smooth transition in 1997,

and action to assist the Hong Kong SAR to maintain and