ENG-1984 — Page 59

THE SINO-BRITISH JOINT DECLARATION ON THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG

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ANNEX C

Statement issued by the Unofficial Members of the Hong Kong Executive and Legislative Councils on 29 November 1984

THE FUTURE OF HONG KONG

Introduction

Unofficial Members of the Executive Council and the Legislative Council* (UMELCO) have always been aware of the concern of the people of Hong Kong about their future, and on the arrival of the Governor in May 1982, the Senior Member stressed publicly the importance and urgency to the people of Hong Kong of the satisfactory resolution of this issue.

Since the Sino-British talks on the future of Hong Kong began in late 1982, UMELCO have received many representations about Hong Kong's future up to and beyond 1997.

Before the debates took place in the two Houses of British Parliament in May this year, UMELCO sent a delegation to London and issued a statement to reflect the anxieties and wishes of the people of Hong Kong: there they listed, inter alia, the four most important criteria by which the acceptability of the Sino-British Agreement to the people of Hong Kong would be judged.

Briefly, these are, first, that the Agreement must contain full details of the proposed administrative, legal, social and economic systems applicable in Hong Kong after 1997; second, that it must state that the provisions of the Basic Law will incorporate the relevant provisions of the Agreement; third, that it must provide adequate and workable assurances that the terms of the Agreement will be honoured; and fourthly, that the rights of Hong Kong British Nationals must be safeguarded.

Following its publication, UMELCO received a large number of representations from a wide cross-section of the community expressing their support. The South China Morning Post commissioned an independent research firm to conduct a survey, which showed that 82% of the community approved fully or in part of the statement. In addition, about 70% of the elected and appointed Unofficial Members of the 18 District Boards gave their support.

Three Unofficial Members went to Beijing in June this year and reflected to the Chinese leaders, including Chairman Deng, the anxieties and wishes of the people of Hong Kong. They also made three major proposals to the Chinese leaders, proposals which they considered would help to enhance the confidence of the people of Hong Kong about their future.

* The Governor consults the Executive Council in the execution of the powers and authorities granted to him. by Letters Patent, and acts on its advice. At present, it consists of 4 Ex-officio Members, 2 Official Members and 10 Unofficial Members, appointed by the Governor.

The Legislative Council consists of 3 Ex-officio Members, 13 Official Members and 30 Unofficial Members. It enacts legislation and controls public expenditure.

The Unofficial Members are appointed from a wide spectrum of the community. Through their membership of over 300 boards and committees, including District Boards, the Urban Council and the Heung Yee Kuk, dealing with public affairs, with educational and legal matters, and with all facets of Hong Kong's economic and social life, Unofficial Members are in touch with all sectors of the community.

Apart from their duties in the two Councils, they monitor the effectiveness of the public administration, and consider complaints by members of the public against Government, for handling which they have far wider powers than is possessed by any Ombudsman.