HKSAR – A301 – Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong

20 June 2021
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https://www.elegislation.gov.hk/hk/A301!en-zh-Hant-HK.assist.pdf

Para No. Description
0 a proper negotiated settlement of the question of Hong Kong
1 Government of PRC declares to recover the Hong Kong area (HK, KLN & NT) w.e.f. 1 July 1997.
2 Government of UK declares to restore Hong Kong to the PRC w.e.f. 1 July 1997.
3 Government of PRC declares the basic policies:
  1. Establishment of HKSAR, according to Article 31 of PRCC
  2. will be directly under the authority of the CPG; HKSAR will enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs.
  3. will be vested with executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. The laws currently in force will remain basically unchanged.
  4. The Government of HKSAR will be composed of local inhabitants.
    CE: results of local elections or consultations > CPG’s appointment.
    Principal officials: CE’s nomination > CPG’s appointment
    Chinese and foreign nationals may remain in employment.
    British and other foreign nationals may also be employed to serve as advisers or hold certain public posts in government.
  5. economic systems & life-style will remain unchanged
    be ensured by law: Rights and freedoms (including those of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of travel, of movement, of correspondence, of strike, of choice of occupation, of academic research and of religious belief)
    be protected by law: Private property, ownership of enterprises, legitimate right of inheritance and foreign investment
  6. retain the status of a free port and a separate customs territory
  7. retain the status of an international financial centre, and its markets for foreign exchange, gold, securities and futures will continue. free flow of capital. The Hong Kong dollar will continue to circulate and remain freely convertible.
  8. have independent finances. CPG will not levy taxes on the HKSAR.
  9. may establish mutually beneficial economic relations with the UK and other countries, whose economic interests in HK will be given due regard.
  10. Using the name of “Hong Kong, China” may on its own maintain and develop economic and cultural relations and conclude relevant agreements with states, regions and relevant international organisations.
    may on its own issue travel documents for entry into and exit from Hong Kong.
  11. The maintenance of public order will be the responsibility of the Government of the HKSAR
  12. further elaboration in Annex I, HKBL by NPC, will remain unchanged for 50 years.
4 Government of UK & PRC declare that UK responsible for the administration until 30 June 1997.
5 Government of UK & PRC declare that Sino-British Joint Liaison Group: Annex II
6 Government of UK & PRC declare that land leases in Hong Kong and other related matters: Annex III
7 Government of UK & PRC agree to implement the preceding declarations and the Annexes to this Joint Declaration.
8 “This Joint Declaration is subject to ratification and shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification1, which shall take place in Beijing before 30 June 1985. This Joint Declaration and its Annexes shall be equally binding.”
“Done in duplicate at Beijing on 19 December 1984 in the English and Chinese languages, both texts being equally authentic.”