TNAG-1326-FCO40-1738-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1984 — Page 96

CONFIDENTIAL

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.

CONFIDENTIAL