DATELINE: HONG KONG

Handover agreement : Joint Liason Group
Introduction: This document empowers the Hong Kong Government to delegate staff from the Government Information Service (GIS) to handle media arrangements for the handover. Although GIS staff, later seconded to the Handover Ceremoney Coordination Office, had been involved in planning since 1995, detailed plans could not be made until this minute was signed in September 1997. Section II (4) of this minute refers directly to media coverage.

Agreed Minute on the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group on the Handover Ceremony for Hong Kong.

1.The British and Chinese sides in the Joint Liaison Group have discussed arrangements for a handover ceremony for Hong Kong to be held jointly by the British and Chinese governments around midnight on 30 June 1997 (herein after referred to as "the ceremony"). The two sides have reached consensus on a number of key issues, as follows-

I. General Principles

(1) A solemn and dignified ceremony will be held by the two governments around midnight on 30 June in Hong Kong.

(2) The ceremony will mark the British Government's restoration of Hong Kong to China and the Chinese government's recovery of Hong Kong, resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the establishment of a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as provided for under the Sino-British Joint declaration on the Question of Hong Kong. The Ceremony will also cover the transfer of defence responsibilities.

II. Specific Arrangements

On the basis of the above mentioned principles, the two sides consider that the following specific arrangements will apply -

(1) The Ceremony will be held in the Grand Foyer of the new Extension to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

(2) The Ceremony will be presided over by senior representatives of Britain and China, with military honour guards and military bands of the two nations present. The Ceremony will include a formal salute by the military honour guards and speeches by the senior representatives of the two sides. Following these, immediately before midnight, the British national anthem will be played as the Union and Hong Kong flags are lowered. Immediately after midnight, the Chinese national anthem will be played as the national flag of the People's Republic of China and the regional flag of the Hong Kong Special Administrative region are raised, Appropriate arrangements will be made for dignified and ceremonial departure of the British civilian and military representatives following the Ceremony.

(3) The ceremony will be witnessed by guests from Britain, China and Hong Kong and guests from overseas, including high level representatives from countries and international organisations to be invited by the British and Chinese sides.

(4) Chinese, British, local and international media will be welcome to attend and report freely on the Ceremony and will be provided with appropriate facilities including a Press and Broadcasting Centre. Hong Kong's normal media accreditation and poling procedures for major events, based on internationally accepted practice, will be applied. British and Chinese officials will discuss the media requirements further within the framework of normal internationally accepted practice.

(5) The Hong Kong Police will be responsible for planning and implementing arrangements for the security of the Ceremony and of all those participating in or observing it. The British and Chinese sides will fully discuss the security requirements.

III. The two sides have agreed to continue discussions in the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group with a view to reaching early agreement on the detailed arrangements of the Ceremony.

26 September, 1996.

Alan Knight

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