2
VS076/84
9/8/84
TO LIE POWER
COURTS
K
WILL BE
AND JUDICIAL VESTED IN THE
WITH THE LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITIES OF HONG KONG,
INCLUDING THE RIGHT OF FINAL APPEAL OF HONG KONG. THE AGREEMENT WILL ENABLE HONG KONG TO CONTINUE TO DECIDE ITS OWN ECONOMIC AND TRADE POLICIES.. TO MAINTAIN ITS STATUS AS A FREE PORT AND A MAJOR MANUFACTURING AND TRADING ECONOMY., AND TO PRESERVE THE RIGHTS OF OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY AND FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS.
IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE CONTINUATION OF HONG KONG'S STATUS AS A SEPARATE CUSTOMS TERRITORY. HONG KONG WILL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATING IN INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND TRADE AGREEMENTS SUCH AS THE GATT TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY EXCLUSIVELY ITS OWN EXPORT QUOTAS AND TARIFF PREFERENCES AND TO ISSUE ITS OWN CERTIFICATES OF ORIGIN FOR HONG KONG PRODUCTS
G
IT WILL PROVIDE FOR HONG KONG TO MANAGE ITS OWN FINANCIAL
AFFAIR AND TO USE ITS FINANCIAL REVENUE EXCLUSIVELY FOR ITS OWN PURPOSES.
IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE CONTINUING CONVERTIBILITY OF THE HONG KONG DOLLAR AND THE FREEDOM TO MOVE CAPITAL INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG.
IT WILL CONTAIN ARRANGEMENTS FOR CONTINUITY OF EMPLOYMENT IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AND FOR THE SAFEGUARDING OF PENSION RIGHTS.
IT WILL MAINTAIN HONG KONG'S SYSTEM OF PORT MANAGEMENT, SHIPPING, AND THE FREE OPERATION OF PRIVATE SHIPPING BUSINESS.
IT WILL ENABLE HONG KONG RESIDENTS TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE RIGHT TO TRAVEL AND MOVE FREELY INTO AND OUT OF HONG KONG.
IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HONG KONG'S EDUCATION
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SYSTEM WITH ITS WIDE RANGE OF DIFFERENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. IT WILL PRESERVE THE PRESENT FREEDOM OF CHOICE OF EDUCATION AND THE FREEDOM TO PURSUE EDUCATION OVERSEAS.
IT WILL PROVIDE FOR THE PRESERVATION OF FREEDOMS WHICH THE PEOPLE OF HONG KONG NOW
ALL THE RIGHTS AND ENJOY.
THIS IS NOT AN EXHAUSTIVE LIST. WORK IS STILL IN PROGRESS TO COVER SATISFACTORILY A NUMBER OF MATTERS IMPORTANT TO HONG KONG'S WAY OF LIFE AND ECONOMY I HAVE IN MIND, FOR EXAMPLE, LAND, CIVIL AVIATION AND NATIONALITY.
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THERE HAS BEEN MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT THE IDEA OF A JOINT GROUP AND THE ROLE IT MIGHT PLAY IN HONG KONG. BEFORE I COME TO THIS, LET ME EMPHASISE ONE POINT THAT IS FIRMLY AGREED BETWEEN THE BRITISH AND CHINESE GOVERNMENTS. THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT WILL REMAIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG UNTIL 1997. LET THERE BE NO DOUBT THAT WE SHALL FULFILL THAT RESPONSIBILITY RIGHT UP TO THAT DATE. EVEN AGAINST THAT CLEAR BACKGROUND OF CONTINUING BRITISH ADMINISTRATION UP TO 1997 EVERYONE RECOGNIZES THE NEED FOR CLOSE CONSULTATION BETWEEN BRITAIN AND CHINA IF HONG KONG IS TO CONTINUE TO ENJOY THE BENEFIT.OF ARRANGEMENTS ESSENTIAL TO ITS TRADE AND ITS ECONOMY AND IF IN 1997 THERE IS TO BE A SMOOTH TRANSITION, ARRANGEMENTS MUST BE MADE IN GOOD TIME.
FOR THIS PURPOSE, WE HAVE AGREED TO ESTABLISH A JOINT LIAISON GROUP. IT WILL COME INTO BEING WHEN THE AGREEMENT COMES INTO FORCE. IT WILL MEET IN PEKING LONDON AND HONG KONG.
LATER
4
YEARS FROM NOW
IT WILL ESTABLISH ITS PRINCIPAL BASE IN HONG KONG. IT WILL CONTINUE TO MEET IN LONDON AND PEKING AS WELL.
THE GROUP'S TERMS OF REFERENCE HAVE BEEN PRECISELY DEFINED: THE GROUP WILL HAVE THREE FUNCTIONS: LIAISON CONSULTATION ON THE
P IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT AND EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION.
IT HAS ALSO BEEN AGREED IN THE TERMS OF REFERENCE THAT THE GROUP WILL NOT BE AN ORGAN OF POWER. IT WILL HAVE NO SUPERVISORY ROLE. IT WILL PLAY NO PART IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF HONG KONG. THE CHINESE LEADERS HAVE GIVEN ME FIRM AND SPECIFIC ASSURANCES ON THESE POINTS.
PAG
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