The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has written to t * he NSW Government advising on some of the preparatory measures it is taking for the resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong by China on 1 July 1997. Hong Kong then becomes a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China - the HKSAR.

In DFAT's dealings on Hong Kong, it is taken that China will abide by the firm understanding it has given to grant the HKSAR a "high degree of autonomy" in all matters other than foreignaffairs and defence. The Australian Government intends to continue after July 1997 to be represented in Hong Kong through its Consulate-General and an agreement to that effect was signed by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Chinese Foreign Minister in New York on 26 September 1996.

In 1995 DFAT began an extensive review of Australian Government treaty arrangements with Hong Kong, Britain and China and of multilateral treaties currently applying to Hong Kong, with a total of 265 treaties reviewed to ensure that no loose ends remain in the legal framework which will govern Australia's relations with Hong Kong after July 1997. DFAT is satisfied that this has now been accomplished.

DFAT has suggested that the NSW Government move quickly to clarify the position of any post 1977 arrangements or understandings 'with Hong Kong it needs to review, emphasising that the closer July 1997 becomes, the work load of Hong Kong authorities will allow little time to attend to clarification of external matters of this nature.

I therefore ask all Chief Executive Officers to advise me by close of business on 17th January, 1997 of any issues from within their Agencies which will need clarification prior to China's resumption of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Any information should be forwarded to Community and State Projects, Premier's Department on facsimile 02 9228 5249, contact.officer Ms Maret Hegh. Contact off-leer at DFAT for information on Hong Kong related concerns is Ms Maria Pergaininelis on telephone 06 261 3067.

C. Gellatly
Director-General