ENG-1996 — Page 73

ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE TRANSITION

Kwan O Tunnels (1996); the new franchise for Citybus Company (1996); six Personal Communications Services Licences (1996); a satellite television uplink and downlink licence (1996) and the new franchise for New Lantao Bus Company (1996). A common view was also reached in September 1996 on the development of Container Terminal No. 9. In 1986, it agreed on the establishment of a separate Hong Kong register of shipping.

Lastly, the JLG's Airport Committee has taken an active role in preparations for the new airport. It was established under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding in 1991. The Airport Committee agreed to the principles of the overall financing arrangements of the New Airport and the Airport Railway in 1994, and the Financial Support Agreements between the Hong Kong Government and the Airport Authority and the Mass Transit Railway Corporation in 1995. In 1996, the two sides completed a comprehensive review of the progress of the Airport Core Programme and the implementation of the financial agreements for the new airport and airport railway.

The Airport Committee has also agreed to seven airport-related franchises, including franchises for air cargo services, aviation fuel supply services and aircraft catering services. It also reached consensus on the Airport Authority Ordinance and the membership of the Airport Authority Board for the new airport. On May 30, 1996, the committee signed an Agreed Minute on the early commissioning of the new airport's second runway.

Work Still to be Done in the JLG

Despite these achievements, there is still a significant amount of work to complete before July 1, 1997. This includes the transfer of government, legal and immigration issues.

The transfer of government involves issues such as consultations on the transitional Budget and related matters, the transfer of defence responsibilities and the framework which governs the future Chinese Garrison in Hong Kong, the implementation of the 1990 agreement on archives, and the future of the civil service. Arrangements are also needed for the implementation of the Agreed Minute signed in September 1996 on the Handover Ceremony. All of these issues must, by definition, be resolved before July 1, 1997.

Several legal issues remain unresolved. For example, about eight items regarding localisation of laws are still outstanding and early resolution is needed on the modalities for the adaptation of existing Hong Kong laws with the Basic Law. Agreement is needed on the continued application of a few international conventions, and on the commencement of bilateral agreements on the reciprocal enforcement and recognition of judgements in civil and commercial matters. Further bilateral agreements under the existing programmes (Mutual Legal Assistance, Surrender of Fugitive Offenders, Transfer of Sentenced Persons, Investments Promotion and Protection Agreements and Air Services Agreements) also need to be agreed to.

One of the most important groups of subjects still to be resolved relates to the remaining immigration issues on the JLG agenda. Agreement is needed on how to align the Immigration Ordinance with the relevant provisions of the Basic Law. It will also be necessary to implement the agreement on the preparations for the issue of HKSAR passports. Arrangements must be made to ensure that Hong Kong residents

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