TNAG-2913-FCO40-4188-International-support-from-the-USA-regarding-the-future-of-H-1993 — Page 29

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(2) Other Developments

Other matters, including developments related to the change in the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong, affecting United States interests in Hong Kong or United States relations with Hong Kong. (N.b. Part 7, which deals with development of democratic institutions in Hong Kong, discusses Governor Patten's electoral reform proposals and the Chinese reaction to them.)

(A) US. Interests in Hong Kong

The United States has an important stake in Hong Kong's future. Our interests include: (1) assuring a smooth transition from British to Chinese sovereignty; (2) continuing liong Kong's admirable record of protection of human rights; (3) ensuring steady advances in democratic development; and (4) strengthening relations between the United States and Hong Kong, We support the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration as a viable framework for preserving the territory's separate political and economic systems over at least the next 50 years. The Joint Declaration on the future of Hong Kong provides for the establishment of a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (IIKSAR) when the PRC resumes sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997. According to the Joint Declaration, the HKSAR will enjoy a "high degree of autonomy" except in foreign and defense affairs.

(B) China Objects to the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act

China objected to the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act. The Chinose maintain that Hong Kong is a matter between China and Britain before July 1, 1997. After that, it says, it will purely be China's internal affair. Beijing argues that U.S. adoption of domestic legislation on Hong Kong constitutes unjustified interference in China's internal affairs and violates universally acknowledged norms governing international relations.

The U.S. government has informed the PRC that the Hong Kong Policy Act is fully consistent with the spirit of the Joint Declaration. The intent of the Act is to make changes in U.S. law needed to deal with changes in Hong Kong's status in 1997, The Act aims to assist in the continuation of prosperity and confidence in Hong Kong by enabling the U.S. to respect Hong Kong's special status.

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