was general recognition that a document containing such detailed and
comprehensive provisions for Hong Kong's future was the best that
could have been achieved in the circumstances. It exceeded the
expectations of many people, who had assumed from statements made by the Chinese authorities before the negotiations began that any
agreement on Hong Kong's future would be couched in very general
terms. The Agreement was widely welcomed internationally as a major
diplomatic achievement.
IV:
Consultation with the British Parliament
10. The British Parliament took a close interest in the progress of
the negotiations and in the Joint Declaration itself. There were debates on Hong Kong in October and November 1983 and in May 1984.
The draft Agreement was presented to Parliament in a White Paper in September 1984. In thorough and wide ranging debates in December 1984, the overwhelming majority of speakers expressed the view that the agreement was an excellent one which provided a sound basis for a stable and prosperous future for Hong Kong after 1997. The Joint Declaration was signed by the British and Chinese Governments on 19 December 1984. The Hong Kong Act 1985, providing for the ending of British sovereignty and jurisdiction over Hong Kong on 30 June 1997, was passed by Parliament and received the Royal Assent on 24 April
1985.
11. The Agreement entered into force on 27 May 1985, when instruments of ratification were exchanged in Peking between the
British and Chinese Governments. On 12 June 1985 it was registered at the United Nations by the two governments, in accordance with the
normal practice.
V:
Analysis of the Joint Declaration
12. The Agreement consists of a Joint Declaration by the two
governments and three Annexes. The Annexes have the same status as the Joint Declaration. Associated with the Agreement is a separate
Exchange of Memoranda on the status after 1997 of Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizens.
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