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<p>The Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific held a meeting with the Chinese
Ambassador on 5 July in which he made clear that the UK Government did not accept
the position of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson that the Joint
Declaration was an historical document of no practical significance. He stressed that,
as a guarantor of the Joint Declaration, the UK Government regarded it as legitimate
to continue to issue a six-monthly report to the House on Hong Kong affairs.</p><p>The
Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Beijing also raised HMG concerns
with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 5 July stressing that the Joint Declaration
is a legally binding treaty, registered with the UN. As a co-signatory, the UK Government
is committed to monitoring its implementation closely.</p><p>To mark the 20th anniversary
of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, I issued a Written
Ministerial Statement to the House on 29 June, HLWS17.</p><p>The UK Government will
continue to raise our concerns with the Chinese Government when appropriate to do
so, including through our six-monthly reports to the House.</p><p>Hong Kong's success
and stability depend on its high degree of autonomy, independent judiciary and respect
for the fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Joint Declaration and the
Basic Law.</p>
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