TNAG-1874-FCO40-2665-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-other-British-Dependent-Terr-1989 — Page 43

under

administration was unacceptable to the Chinese Government

and that the talks would break down if the British

Government continued to insist on it. Since most of Hong

Kong would in any case under the Treaty pass

Chinese jurisdiction in 1997, the only way forward was to

explore the possibility of negotiating arrangements under Chinese sovereignty, which would command sufficient

confidence to ensure Hong Kong's future stability and

prosperity.

Liaison

When the Sino-British Joint Liaison Declaration was

finally agreed in September 1984, there was general

recognition both in the territory and internationally

that a document containing such detailed and

comprehensive provision for Hong Kong's future was the

best that could have been achieved in the circumstances

i