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ADTC on the 1 July, 1997 by virtue of provisions in the draft Order in Council or any ohild bom on or after 1 July, 1997 to such a person, there is no question of them becoming stateless thereafter. Artiole 6 of the draft Order provides that any person who ceases to be a BDTC on 1 July, 1997 shall automatically become a British Overseas Citizen if he would otherwise be stateless. So will any child of a former BUTC bom on or after the 1 July, 1997. The grand child of a former BUTɑ will have an entitlement to register as a 300 within 12 months of him. birth. Thus the draft Order in Gounoil provides for a form of British nationality to be granted to former WETOs, to their children and grand- children if they would otherwise be stateless, but the Chinese ADTOs, BUTO who are not of Chinese origin would have a right of abode in Hong Kong after 1997 provided that they satisfy the oonditions for adquisition of right of abode in the Hong Kong SAR in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, and in addition, Sir, article 7 of the Chinese Nationality Law makes provision for aliena to acquire Chinese nationality. Sir, both Mr Hui Yin-fat and Mr Deamond Lee drew attention to the need to ensure the continued convenience of travel of holders of Certificates of Identity. Sir, the Government is fully aware of the concem over this issue and the importance of achieving satisfactory arrangements to mafeguard the continued case of travel of holders of Certificates of Identity. It is estimated that there are over 1.7 million residents in Hong Kong who qualify for the issue of Certificates of Identity and over 900,000 Certificates of Identity are currently in airoulation.
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XH SIS LE:00 58, 50 031