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DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
feel it necessary to secure their future by emigrating.
The Government do not however believe that it would be
sensible, or acceptable to Parliament, to give over 3
million people the automatic right to enter this country,
even if the majority had no intention of exercising this
right. Any change in the status of Hong Kong BDTCs would
require a change in the 1981 British Nationality Act,
which was endorsed (as was earlier legislation on the
subject) by Parliament. Such a move could be interpreted
a vote of no confidence in Hong Kong's future.
as
In Confidence
Conclusion
58.
If no negotiations had been held, 97% of Hong Kong
would have reverted to China, in 1997 or before that
date, without any safeguards. Instead, the Government
concluded a detailed, binding Agreement which provides
for the preservation of Hong Kong's economic, legal and
social systems, and the way of life of its people for 50
years beyond 1997, and establishes the basis for a secure
and prosperous future for the territory. A great deal of
effort is now being put into the task of ensuring that
the Agreement is implemented fully. It is a difficult
and painstaking task. Much still remains to be done.
But we are on course and the Government are determined to
play their full part in ensuring the success of this
unique and historic enterprise.
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