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21. Many people have also expressed concern about nationality. This was without question one of the most
difficult subjects to negotiate. Each side had conflicting
interests that were not easy to reconcile. Nevertheless the
Government believes that the solution eventually achieved
goes a long way to meeting the needs of the people of Hong
Kong.
22.
Arrangements on nationality are set out in a draft exchange of memoranda associated with the agreement. The
terms of these memoranda have been agreed between the two
sides and they were initialled at the same time as the
agreement itself. The UK memorandum provides that those who were on 30 June 1997 British Dependent Territories citizens
by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong will be able to
retain,
if they wish, a status, which will be a form of British nationality, after 1997 and for the rest of their
lives. This status will enable them to continue to use a
British passport and to avail themselves of consular protection when in third countries.
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