Forty years ago today, on May 27, 1985 (April 8, 1985 lunar calendar), the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong came into force. The Chinese and British governments exchanged the instruments of ratification of the "Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong" in Beijing on May 27, 1985, and the "Joint Declaration" came into force on that day. Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Zhou Nan and British Ambassador to China Evans exchanged the instruments of ratification on behalf of their respective governments and signed the certificates of the exchange of ratifications. Zhou Nan said at the ceremony that from now on, Hong Kong has entered a transitional period. The current situation in Hong Kong is very good. In the next 12 years, we will continue to maintain and develop the stability and prosperity of Hong Kong, and ensure the full implementation of the Joint Declaration and the smooth transfer of power in 1997. It is in the common interests of all Chinese people, including Hong Kong compatriots, and the British people. It is also the common responsibility of the Chinese and British governments. Zhou Nan said that the successful settlement of the Hong Kong issue is a powerful witness to the friendly cooperation between China and the UK. We fully believe that in the years to come, the two sides will redouble their efforts to advance the friendly and cooperative relations that already exist between the two countries in various fields to a new height. Ambassador Evans said that the exchange of ratifications shows that the two sides have completed the necessary legal procedures to bring the Joint Declaration into force. The ambassador said that the terms of the joint declaration and its annexes laid the foundation for Hong Kong's continued stability and prosperity before 1997 and after it became a special administrative region of the People's Republic of China. He said the British government will strictly abide by the terms of the joint declaration and its annexes.