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I can
24. Fears have also been expressed that people could be made
stateless by the arrangements in the UK memorandum.
assure Noble Lords that the draft legislation which the Government will put before Parliament will make provisions which will ensure that this does not happen. These wil1
cover, in particular, any former Hong Kong British Dependent Territories Citizens who for any reason do not acquire the
new form of British nationality in 1997, and who would
otherwise be stateless, and any children born after 1997 to
holders of the new form who would otherwise be stateless.
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.
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