TNAG-2119-FCO40-3025-Future-of-Hong-Kong-general-1990 — Page 209

000.GQVI HUUSE HK

*90 10-29 11:23

PHGE 02

Draft Reply by the Attorney General

to the speech of the Hon Tai Chin-Wah

made

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

some observations on the status of Hong Kong and what he believed was the ability of the PRC to influence

ΟΣ Velo the decisions of the Hong Kong Government.

also seemed to be suggesting that the UK's right to Hong Kong is derived from the Joint

Aumınıster

Declaration.

He

I cannot allow these

allow these observations

observations to pass

witnout claritying the correct legal position.

Du fal a❤ PIL Tal's

nistorial observations are

again.

concerned, HMG's position on the UK's sovereignty over попу колд 1s well-known and ↓ 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

to his other points, the position c5 COLLOWS, in para 1 of the Joint Declaration the PRC declares that it has decided to resume the exercise

position. Turning now to his other

of sovereignty over Hong Kong with effect from 1 July 1997. In paragraph 2 the Government of the UK declares that it will restore Hong Kong to the PRC with effect

trom 1 July 1997. In para 4 of the Joint

of the Joint Declaration

it is declared by the two Governments that, during the Transitional period between the date of entry into force

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

Whil be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong