U.S. and Hong Kong

U.S. CONSUL GENERAL RICHARD A. BOUCHER'S REMARKS
ON SIGNING OF MUTUAL LEGAL ASSISTANCE
AND PRISONER TRANSFER AGREEMENTS
APRIL 15, 1997

Today marks a major step forward in United States-Hong Kong relations.

We have signed two important agreements that will further strengthen our excellent cooperation in law enforcement.

One is the Agreement on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters: a Mutual Legal Assistance Agreement which will deepen our cooperation in combating criminal activity in areas as diverse as tax evasion, customs violations, narcotics, hijacking, and illegal immigration.

The second is the Agreement for the Transfer of Sentenced Persons -- the Prisoner Transfer Agreement -- which will enable prisoners to serve sentences in the jurisdiction of which they are citizens or permanent residents.

Both agreements stem from our commitment to bilateral law enforcement cooperation. We negotiated them in conformity with the U.S.-Hong Kong Policy Act passed by the United States Congress in 1992.

The Act reflects America's support for Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy -- including the independence of the legal and judicial system -- after the territory's reversion to China in July.

I would note that the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group has approved these agreements, demonstrating the support of both the present and future sovereign.

Taken together with our signing of the Extradition Agreement last December, the agreements we signed today form a rock-hard foundation for our continued partnership with Hong Kong in the critical field of international law enforcement cooperation.

They are also potent symbols of our broad-based partnership in a whole range of areas of mutual interest, and of our confidence in that partnership, far into the future.

I look forward to both agreements coming into force soon, following necessary U.S. ratification procedures and passage of implementing legislation in Hong Kong.

Thank you.

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