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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 omitted or drafted differently.

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

5.

Plenary meetings of the Joint Liaison Group were held in

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

December 1990 in Hong Kong. There was a slow return to

business following the disruption in the Group's work in

1989. This process was helped by a gradual improvement in Sino-British relations during the same period.

6.

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

Kong's air services agreements. New items were introduced into the Joint Liaison Group agenda, including arrangements

for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and for the

protection and promotion of investment between Hong Kong and

ALAAEV/3

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