Commonwealth Secretariat
  1. Home
  2. What's New
  3. Who We Are
  4. What We Do
    1. Democracy
    2. Economics
    3. Education
    4. Gender
    5. Governance
    6. Health
    7. Human Rights
    8. Law
    9. Small States
    10. Sport
    11. Sustainability
    12. Youth
    13. Millennium Development Goals
    14. Funding
  5. News
    1. Events
    2. News Archive Search
    3. Picture Stories
  6. Media Room
    1. Press Archive Search
    2. Media Contacts
    3. Video
    4. Events
    5. In the Media
    6. Updates
    7. Downloads
  7. Resources
    1. Documents
    2. Image Library
    3. Libary & Archives
    4. Publications
  8. Publications
  9. Employment
  10. FAQs
    1. Acronyms
  11. Contact Us
Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General to attend Hong Kong handover

4 June 1997

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku has been invited by the Chinese and British governments to attend the handover ceremonies in Hong Kong. The Secretary-General will join other leading representatives of countries and international organisations with close links to Hong Kong for the ceremonies marking the end of British rule at midnight on 30 June and the return of the territory to Chinese sovereignty. Chief Anyaoku will be in the territory from 28 June to 2 July to witness both elements of the handover.

The Chinese Ambassador in London, Mr Ma Zhengang, personally delivered  the invitation to Chief Anyaoku at Marlborough House, the headquarters of the Commonwealth Secretariat. The Ambassador said the decision to invite the Commonwealth Secretary-General was made jointly by China and Britain.

Hong Kong has been closely associated with the Commonwealth. Its administration and  citizens have played an active role in many aspects of Commonwealth affairs, especially in sporting and cultural events of the 53-member organisation.
 
According to article 149 of The Basic Law agreed between the governments of China and Britain, the people of Hong Kong, as a Special Administrative Region of China, will be allowed to retain links with professional non-governmental groups around the world in the fields of education, science, technology, culture, art, sports, the professions, medicine, health, labour, social welfare and religion.

Chief Anyaoku said that he hoped that contacts between the people of Hong Kong and those in Commonwealth countries would continue.

"I have raised this possibility with the Chinese authorities, and look forward to the people of Hong Kong and their professional organisations being able to continue to participate in the Commonwealth's non-governmental activities after the handover," the Secretary-General said.

 

 

97/24      4 June 1997

Share this page
About this

ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6385/6 Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081
Email: info@commonwealth.int