the rafting of the Basic Law (which will provide the
constitutional framework for Hong Kong's autonomy after
1997). The Joint Liaison Group has made steady progress
in a number of areas of importance to Hong Kong. Annex I
to this paper contains a list of the more important
agreements achieved so far. None of this has been won
easily: each agreement has required meticulous and
persistent negotiation in order to secure the best
possible arrangements for Hong Kong on terms fully
consistent with the Joint Declaration.
The workload is a
heavy one and there is a major input from the Hong Kong
Government. This Hong Kong involvement helps to ensure
that local concerns are fully reflected in the process of
implementing the Joint Declaration.
6.
Much remains to be done. There is a great deal of
work in the legal field, particularly over the continued
application of international treaties and agreements to
Hong Kong, and the localisation of UK legislation now
applied directly in the territory. Difficult discussions
lie ahead on the disposal of lands and facilities now
used by the British garrison; on Hong Kong's own system
of Air Service Agreements and Extradition agreements; and
on arrangements for the transition through 1997. We are
on schedule so far; but in order to keep up the momentum
we shall need to sustain steady pressure on the Chinese
at all levels and to continue the process of educating
them about the realities and sensitivities of Hong Kong
a process which of course began with the negotiations of
the Joint Declaration.
We shall continue to negotiate
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