CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG: THE NEXT SIX YEARS
THE JOINT DECLARATION
1. The foundation of our policy on Hong Kong is the Joint Declaration, signed in December 1984. In essence the Joint Declaration provides that:
-
Britain will restore the whole of Hong Kong to China on
1 July 1997.
Hong Kong will then become a Special Administrative Region of China with a high degree of autonomy.
etc
-
- The existing systems legal, social, economic, education,
will remain unchanged for at least 50 years, as will the lifestyle of Hong Kong people and their rights and
freedoms.
-
Britain will be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong until 30 June 1997, with the cooperation of China.
- A Joint Liaison Group will be established to discuss matters arising from the Joint Declaration.
the JLG will be intensified from 1991 onwards.
Cooperation in
2. This agreement was the best which could be negotiated. Hong Kong people would have much preferred the continuation
The of British administration but that was unrealistic. Joint Declaration provides a reasonable basis for the maintenance of their livelihood and freedoms after 1997.
LEGAER/1
CC
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.