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25. Concern has also been expressed on the commitment of the
Chinese Government to the implementation of the agreement.
While no absolute guarantees can be given about the future
there is no reason to doubt that the Chinese Government will
fulfill their obligations under this agreement. The Chinese
Government freely entered into this agreement: and they are
justifiably proud of their good record in observing
international agreements. The Chinese Foreign Minister has publicly recognised that this is a legally binding agreement.
Moreover both economic interest and the course of Chinese
reunification will be served by adherence to the agreement.
To my mind these add up to very strong incentives to
observance of its letter and its spirit.
26. The agreement is the product of long and sometimes difficult negotiations. Negotiations by definition
require give and take.
The agreement does not and cannot provide answers to all questions and I recognise that it will be necessary to elaborate further on some of the general
principles set out in this agreement. One such area i S that
of constitutional arrangments and government structure of the future Special Administrative Region. The agreement provides
a framework but the details will have to be filled in.
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