The Joint Liaison Group, set up in accordance with the provisions of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and Annex 2, is an organ for liaison between the Chinese and British governments. The functions of the Joint Liaison Group are:

To conduct consultations on the implementation of the Joint Declaration;

To discuss matters relating to the smooth transfer of government in 1997;

To exchange information and conduct consultations on such subjects as may be agreed by the two sides;

The Joint Liaison Group is an organ for liaison and not an organ of power. It shall play no part in the administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Nor shall it have any supervisory role over that administration. The members and supporting staff of the Joint Liaison Group shall only conduct activities within the scope of the functions of the Joint Liaison Group.

The Joint Liaison Group was established on the entry into force of the Joint Declaration (27 May,1985). From 1 July,1988, the Joint Liaison Group began to have its principle base in Hong Kong. The Joint Liaison Group shall continue its work until 1 January 2000. The Group is composed of a senior representative of ambassadorial rank, and four other representatives. It meets at least once in Beijing, London and Hong Kong respectively every year. The Joint Liaison Group also agreed to set up expert groups to deal with particular subjects requiring expert assistance. 47 plenary meetings have been held since the setting up of the Joint Liaison Group.

Successive senior representatives of the two sides:

China: Ambassador Ke Zaishuo, Ambassador Guo Fengmin, Ambassador Zhao Jihua, Ambassador Wang Guisheng and Ambassador Wu Hongbo ;

Britain: Ambassador D.C. Wilson, Ambassador R.J.T. McLaren, Ambassador A.C. Galsworthy, Ambassador H.L. Davies and Ambassador Alan Paul.