RELATIONS BETWEEN HONG KONG AND CHINA
57. The Joint Declaration guarantees Hong Kong a
high degree of autonomy. Under "one country, two systems",
the HKSAR Government is responsible for all aspects except foreign
and defence affairs. These remain the responsibility of the Central
People's Government.[107]
Nonetheless, concerns have been expressed that the Central People's
Government may seek covertly to influence the actions of the HKSAR
Government.
58. The Government considers that the Central People's
Government has generally respected Hong Kong's high degree of
autonomy. Since the restoration of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty
on 30 June 1997, SAR Government officials have said that Hong
Kong has so far been left to run its own economic, financial and
trade policy, including in export controls. Participation in international
organisations and relations with third countries in the economic
and social fields have continued to be dealt with by the SAR Government.
Day to day decisions have been left to it. The People's Liberation
Army Garrison in Hong Kong has kept a low profile. Since the handover
Chinese leaders have stressed the principles of "one country,
two systems" and "Hong Kong people running Hong Kong".
However, the Government also commented that many decisions taken
by the SAR Government after 30 June 1997 were in effect preordained
by the Chinese People's Government before the handover through
the Beijing-appointed Preparatory Committee. In this way parameters
were established within which the SAR Government was obliged to
work, notably in relation to the formation of the Provisional
Legislative Council, the arrangements for elections to the first
SAR Legislative Council, and decisions on certain pieces of domestic
Hong Kong legislation relating to public order and human rights.
59. The Central People's Government has agreed to
transmit to the United Nations without amendment reports drafted
by the HKSAR Government on Hong Kong under the ICCPR and ICESCR[108]
(notwithstanding that the People's Republic of China is not yet
a signatory to the ICCPR). The first such reports will be transmitted
in August.[109] We
welcome this undertaking.
60. The HKSAR Government's recent report gives further
information on the way in which the Chinese Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Office and the HKSAR Government have worked together in
the international field.[110]
The UK Government has noted the independent action of the HKSAR
Government in Hong Kong's economic affairs, notably in defending
the peg between the Hong Kong and US dollars. This was also described
to us by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
in the course of our visit. Mr Fatchett commented[111]
"there are some areas of SAR autonomy that we would very
much like to see continue under the Special Administrative Region
which are foreign affairs, if you like. I am thinking particularly
of the SAR's economic and financial relationships, its relationships
with other countries". He also recalled Hong Kong hosting
the World Bank Conference in September 1997.
61. We welcome the respect which Beijing has demonstrated
thus far to the autonomy in economic policy making of the HKSAR
Government under the Joint Declaration. We trust this will continue
and look to the Government to continue to monitor this through
the Joint Liaison Group.
107 Joint Declaration, Article 3(2). Back
108
The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. Back
109
Cm. 4019, para. 13.10. Back
110
Hong Kong SAR: The First 12 Months, p.9. Back
111
Q54. Back
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