§ 5701. — Findings and declarations.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 22USC5701]
TITLE 22--FOREIGN RELATIONS AND INTERCOURSE
CHAPTER 66--UNITED STATES-HONG KONG POLICY
Sec. 5701. Findings and declarations
The Congress makes the following findings and declarations:
(1) The Congress recognizes that under the 1984 Sino-British
Joint Declaration:
(A) The People's Republic of China and the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland have agreed that the People's
Republic of China will resume the exercise of sovereignty over
Hong Kong on July 1, 1997. Until that time, the United Kingdom
will be responsible for the administration of Hong Kong.
(B) The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the
People's Republic of China, beginning on July 1, 1997, will
continue to enjoy a high degree of autonomy on all matters other
than defense and foreign affairs.
(C) There is provision for implementation of a ``one
country, two systems'' policy, under which Hong Kong will retain
its current lifestyle and legal, social, and economic systems
until at least the year 2047.
(D) The legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region will be constituted by elections, and the provisions of
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,
as applied to Hong Kong, shall remain in force.
(E) Provision is made for the continuation in force of
agreements implemented as of June 30, 1997, and for the ability
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to conclude new
agreements either on its own or with the assistance of the
Government of the People's Republic of China.
(2) The Congress declares its wish to see full implementation of
the provisions of the Joint Declaration.
(3) The President has announced his support for the policies and
decisions reflected in the Joint Declaration.
(4) Hong Kong plays an important role in today's regional and
world economy. This role is reflected in strong economic, cultural,
and other ties with the United States that give the United States a
strong interest in the continued vitality, prosperity, and stability
of Hong Kong.
(5) Support for democratization is a fundamental principle of
United States foreign policy. As such, it naturally applies to
United States policy toward Hong Kong. This will remain equally true
after June 30, 1997.
(6) The human rights of the people of Hong Kong are of great
importance to the United States and are directly relevant to United
States interests in Hong Kong. A fully successful transition in the
exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong must safeguard human rights
in and of themselves. Human rights also serve as a basis for Hong
Kong's continued economic prosperity.
(Pub. L. 102-383, Sec. 2, Oct. 5, 1992, 106 Stat. 1448.)
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 102-383 provided that: ``This Act [enacting
this chapter] may be cited as the `United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of
1992'.''
