TNAG-2524-FCO40-3685-Future-of-Hong-Kong-International-Rights-and-Obligations-(IR-1992 — Page 14

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The Chinese side also

have not been signed by the PRC, if there is a need for

Hong Kong, the Chinese Government could, in principle, adopt measures to allow them to continue to be applicable to Hong Kong in future" (the Chinese side's speaking note

at Annex D).

indicated that "as for those which

6.

it

the

+

to

party, it will be

indicate to all

The British side propose that, following the above agreement, the Merchant Shipping treaties currently applied LO Hong Kong should continue to apply to the HKSAR after 30

June 1997 in accordance with the Joint Declaration. The

PRC is a party to several of these treaties and, provided

remains 50, it will be necessary only to ensure that the

international rights and obligations currently affecting

Hong Kong are fully preserved in a manner consistent with Joint Declaration and to consider whether any action is

necessary in this regard. However,

as regards those

treaties to which the PRC is not

necessary for the CPG in some way present Contracting Parties, and all Governments which may

become parties before 1 July 1997, that all the

international rights and obligations arising from the

Convention and the Protocol, to the extent that they apply Hong Kong, will be assumed by the CPG with effect from 1

July 1997 and apply to the HKSAR of the PRC. It will

further be necessary to ensure SQ far as possible that

those Contracting Parties either agree, Or at least

acquiesce.

In the opinion of the British side, the best

method for securing this objective would be as described in

pära. 7 of the paper handed to the Chinese side on 15 March

1989,

to

CY-241

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