TNAG-2119-FCO40-3025-Future-of-Hong-Kong-general-1990 — Page 203

"000 GUVI HUUSE HK

190 10-29 11:23

Draft Reply by the Attorney General

to the speech of the Hon Tai Chin-Wah

He

In his speech on 25 October 1990 Mr Tai Chin-wah

made some observations on the status of Hong Kong and

what he believed was the ability of the PRC to influence

VELO the decisions of the Hong Kong Government.

also seemed to be suggesting that the UK's right to

auminister Hong Kong is derived from the Joint

Declaration. I cannot allow these observations to pass

without clarifying the correct legal position.

again.

Du fal as MAL Tal's

nistorial observations are

concerned, HMG's position on the UK's sovereignty over

попу коng 16 well-known and 1

I do not need to repeat it

This Council will not be surprised to hear me

say however that 1 do not accept Mr Tai's view of the

position. Turning now to his other points, the position

in para 1 of the Joint Declaration the

PRC

ds IOLLOWS.

declares that it has decided

it has decided to resume the exercise

of sovereignty over Hong Kong with effect from 1 July 1997. In paragraph 2 the Government of the UK declares

PRC

with effect

with

that it will restore Hong Kong to the PRC

July 1997. In para 4 of the Joint Declaration

from

it iş declared by the two Governments that,

that, during the transitional period between the date of entry into force

of the JD and 30 June 1997, the Government of the UK

Will be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong