TNAG-2490-FCO40-3622-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Basic-Law-1992 — Page 36

Chapter 1 The Sino-British Joint Declaration

*

* Objectives

After the lessons, students should be able to :

1.

state the historical background and major events to the Sino-British Joint Declaration;

leading

2.

recognize the significance of the Sino-British Declaration;

Joint

3.

describe its major contents; and

4.

evaluate the relevance of the provisions of the British Joint Declaration to the maintenance of stability and prosperity of Hong Kong.

Sino-

the

Content Outline

Government Ireland

The full text of the Agreement between the of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern and the Government of the People's Republic of China on the future of Hong Kong consists of a Joint Declaration and three Annexes.

The Draft Agreement was signed on 19 December 1984 in Beijing by the British Prime Minister and the Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China (PRC). Instruments of ratification were exchanged and the Agreement entered into force on 27 May 1985. On 12 June 1985, the Agreement was registered at the United Nations in New York by the British and Chinese Governments.

I.

BACKGROUND TO THE NEGOTIATIONS

(1)

History

During the 19th century, Britain concluded three treaties concerning Hong Kong with the then Chinese Government :

(a) the Treaty of Nanking (1842) under which Hong Kong

Island was ceded in perpetuity;

1