ENG-1996 — Page 68

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TRANSITION

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agreement was reached in respect of the Hong Kong Government's archives on measures needed as a result of the establishment of the SAR.

In 1994, there was a comprehensive agreement on the future use of the defence estate in Hong Kong, and agreement was reached on the site for the future Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Hong Kong. Also in 1994, agreement was reached on transitional arrangements for postage stamps, and the future arrangements for international call sign services for Hong Kong. In January 1996, agreement was reached on the preparations for the issue of HKSAR passports. In September 1996, agreement in principle was reached on the issue of travel documents other than the HKSAR passports after July 1, 1997. In the same month, an Agreed Minute on the principles for the Handover Ceremony that will be held around midnight of June 30, 1997, was signed. In November 1996, an Agreed Minute on the transfer of the Exchange Fund was signed.

One of the JLG's most important achievements has been to ensure the continuity of the independent judiciary in Hong Kong. Both the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law provide that the judicial system previously practised in Hong Kong shall be maintained except for those changes consequent upon the establishment of the Court of Final Appeal of the HKSAR. In June 1995, agreement was reached in the JLG on the establishment of the Court of Final Appeal on July 1, 1997, in accordance with the provisions of the Court of Final Appeal Ordinance passed by the Hong Kong Legislative Council in the 1994-95 session. This agreement ensures that the Court of Final Appeal will be established in accordance with the established principles and practices of the Privy Council and that there with be no judicial vacuum in 1997.

Agreements have also been reached to ensure that the UK Laws currently in force in Hong Kong, apart from those which can be allowed to lapse, will continue to apply after June 30, 1997. The JLG has reached agreement on the localisation of about 130 UK enactments in the following areas of law: Merchant Shipping (Registration) (1986); Admiralty Jurisdiction (Civil) (1988); Merchant Shipping (Prevention and Control of Pollution) (1989); Merchant Shipping (Liability and Compensation of Oil Pollution) (1989); Admiralty Jurisdiction (Criminal) (1990); Merchant Shipping (Limitation of Shipowners' Liability (1991); Civil Aviation (First Stage) (1993); Internationally Protected Persons and Taking of Hostages (1994); Merchant Shipping (Seafarers) (1994); Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Goods by Sea) (1994); Dumping at Sea (1994); Merchant Shipping (Liner Conferences) (1994); Nuclear Material (Liability of Carriage) (1944); Coinage (1994); Biological Weapons (1995); Aviation Security (1995); Patents (1995); Registered Designs (1995); Copyright (1995); Whale Fisheries (1995); Submarine Telegraph (1996); Surrender of Fugitive Offenders (1996), Carriage by Air (1996) and Official Secrets (1996).

The JLG has reached a common view on some major contracts that straddle 1997. These are: the Scheme of Control Agreement of China Light and Power (1992), and the provision of Community Electronic Trading Services (1992); the Subscription TV Licence (1993); the Scheme of Control Agreement of Hong Kong Electric (1993); the contract for the West New Territories landfill (1993); the contract for the South-East NT landfill (1993); the contract for the North-East NT landfill (1994); the management contract for the Aberdeen Tunnel (1994); four Fixed Tele- communication Network licences (1995); the Route III (Country Park Section) BOT franchise (1995); the new franchise for China Motor Bus Company (1995); the management contracts for the Lion Rock and Airport, and Shing Mun and Tseung