TNAG-2791-FCO40-4030-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-China.-With-maps-1993 — Page 129

9

The

general and detailed

Declaration.

The two

Region exercising a high degree of autonomy and democracy which

would enable it to preserve its existing way of life amid

prosperity and stability for the next fifty years. Much of this

was spelt out in considerable detail. During the intervening

period of thirteen years Britain would continue to exercise sole

responsibility for the administration of the territory.

Chinese side would meanwhile prepare a Basic Law (or mini-

constitution) that would embody the

provisions spelt out in the Joint

governments committed themselves to effect a "smooth transfer of

government in 1997." A Joint Liaison Group (JLG) was established

to help implement the agreement. On British insistence it was

specifically excluded from being an organ of power. On Chinese

insistence a separate Land Commission was established to monitor

land sales and the equal distribution of premium income between

the British Hong Kong Government and that of the post 1997 one.

The two sides also agreed to cooperate in the implementation of

the agreement to preserve Hong Kong's economic prosperity and its

social stability and the JLG would intensify its co-operation in

the second half of the transition period. The Joint Declaration

which is regarded by both sides as an international treaty has

since served as the framework for the evolution of Hong Kong.

Thereafter the implementation of the Joint declaration

involved increasing the democratic basis of the Legislative

Council amid close consultations with the Chinese side; the

negotiating of agreements in the JLG on issues involving the

territory's future international economic arrangements -notable