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

(19 December 1984)

The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, having reviewed with satisfaction the friendly relations between their two governments and peoples in recent years, agree that a proper settlement of the historically inherited question of Hong Kong through consultation would contribute to maintaining Hong Kong's prosperity and stability, and to further consolidating and developing bilateral relations on a new basis. Therefore, following talks between their delegations, they agree to declare the following:

I. Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China: The recovery of Hong Kong (including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the "New Territories," hereinafter referred to as Hong Kong) is the common aspiration of all the Chinese people. The Government of the People's Republic of China has decided to resume the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997.

II. Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom: The Government of the United Kingdom returns Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997.

III. Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China: The basic policies of the People's Republic of China toward Hong Kong are as follows:

(I) In order to safeguard national unity and territorial integrity, and taking into account the historical and current situation in Hong Kong, the People's Republic of China has decided to establish the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) in accordance with Article 31 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China upon the resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong.

(II) The HKSAR is directly under the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. Except for foreign affairs and defense affairs, which are under the jurisdiction of the Central People's Government, the HKSAR enjoys a high degree of autonomy.

(III) The HKSAR enjoys executive, legislative, independent judicial, and final adjudicative powers. The existing laws remain largely unchanged.

(IV) The Government of the HKSAR is composed of local residents. The Chief Executive is elected or elected locally and appointed by the Central People's Government. Principal officials are nominated by the Chief Executive of the HKSAR and appointed by the Central People's Government. Chinese and foreign civil servants and police officers previously serving in various government departments in Hong Kong may remain in their posts. Various government departments in the HKSAR may appoint British nationals or other foreign nationals as advisors or to certain public offices.

(V) Hong Kong's existing social and economic systems and way of life will remain unchanged. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) will protect, in accordance with the law, all rights and freedoms, including personal freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of publication, freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of travel, freedom of movement, freedom of communication, freedom to strike, freedom of choice of profession and freedom of academic research, and freedom of religious belief. Private property, corporate ownership, legal inheritance rights, and foreign investment are all protected by law.

(VI) The HKSAR will maintain its status as a free port and a separate customs territory.

(VII) The HKSAR will maintain its status as an international financial center, continuing to open its foreign exchange, gold, securities, and futures markets, with free flow of capital. The Hong Kong dollar will continue to circulate and be freely convertible.

(VIII) The HKSAR will maintain its fiscal independence. The Central People's Government will not levy taxes on the HKSAR.

(IX) The HKSAR may establish mutually beneficial economic relations with the United Kingdom and other countries. The economic interests of the United Kingdom and other countries in Hong Kong will be taken into account.

(X) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may, independently under the name "Hong Kong, China," maintain and develop economic and cultural relations with all countries, regions, and relevant international organizations, and conclude relevant agreements.

The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region may issue travel documents for entry into and exit from Hong Kong on its own initiative.

(XI) The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall be responsible for maintaining public order in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

(XII) Regarding the aforementioned basic policies of the People's Republic of China toward Hong Kong and the specific explanations of the aforementioned basic policies in Annex I to this Joint Declaration, the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China shall stipulate them in accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, and such stipulations shall remain unchanged for fifty years.

IV. Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom: During the transitional period from the date of entry into force of this Joint Declaration until 30 June 1997, the Government of the United Kingdom shall be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong in order to maintain and preserve its economic prosperity and social stability; the Government of the People's Republic of China shall cooperate in this regard.

V. Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom: For the effective implementation of this Joint Declaration and to ensure the smooth transfer of power in 1997, a Sino-British Joint Liaison Group shall be established upon the entry into force of this Joint Declaration; the Joint Liaison Group shall be established and perform its duties in accordance with the provisions of Annex II to this Joint Declaration.

VI. Declaration of the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom: Matters concerning land leases in Hong Kong and other related matters shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Annex III to this Joint Declaration.

VII. The Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the United Kingdom agree that the foregoing declarations and the annexes to this Joint Declaration shall be put into practice.

VIII. This Joint Declaration is subject to ratification and shall enter into force on the date of the exchange of instruments of ratification. Instruments of ratification shall be exchanged in Beijing before 30 June 1985. This Joint Declaration and its annexes shall be equally binding.

Signed in Beijing on 19 December 1984, in duplicate, each in Chinese and English, both texts being equally authentic.