TNAG-2212-FCO40-3172-Hong-Kong-annual-report-for-1990-1991 — Page 148

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Joint Declaration. On the whole they are satisfied that this has been achieved and that the Basic Law provides a firm foundation for Hong Kong's future as a Special

Administrative Region of China. But there are

some provisions which they would have preferred to have seen

drafted differently.

(c) Sino-British Joint Liaison Group and Land Commission

5.

in

Plenary meetings of the Joint Liaison Group were held

March 1990 in Peking, in September 1990 in London, in

December 1990 in Hong Kong and in March 1991 in Peking.

There was a slow but steady return to normal business

following the disruption in the Group's work in 1989.

process was helped by a gradual improvement in Sino-British relations during the same period.

6.

This

Three rounds of talks between experts were held in the

course of the year to discuss the establishment of the Court

of Final Appeal in Hong Kong. There were also useful exchanges on the question of the convergence of civil

rights law in Hong Kong before and after 1997, and on the

provisions of the Joint Declaration relating to nationality. The Group reached agreement in principle on

the detail of future arrangements for the surrender of

fugitive offenders between Hong Kong and relevant

countries. This cleared the way for the Hong Kong Government, under authorisation, to open negotiations with other countries early in 1991. Further agreement was reached on the localisation of UK legislation applied to

Hong Kong. Agreement was reached in principle on Hong Kong's continued participation after 1997 in the activities

of the International Telecommunication Satellite

Organisation and the International Maritime Satellite

Organisation. Discussion continued on other issues

including the transfer of defence responsibilities and Hong

ALAAEV/3

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