CONFIDENTIAL
line, though some more willingly than others.
The Foreign and
Commonwealth Office are aware that colonial citizenship, whatever
it is called, must give the right of abode in the colony from which,
by his descent, birth etc, the holder derives his citizenship. It
is not invariably the case at present that a Citizen of the United
Kingdom and Colonies with a connection with a colony has the right
of abode in that colony under its immigration ordinances.
It also
has to be borne in mind that some people may qualify for the
colonial citizenship by virtue of connections with more than one
colony.
The Special Difficulties in Hong Kong
4. The special difficulties in Hong Kong, as explained fully by
the Governor after consultation with the members of his Legislative
Council, are related to fears that if the Government of the Chinese
Republic suspect that this country is attempting to distance itself
from the colony of Hong Kong, or is altering the status of the
colony in some other way, possibly with a view to independence, it
will make dealing with that Government much more difficult, and
may involve serious consequences for trade. It has been emphasised
to us that whatever change is made it will be virtually impossible
to persuade the Chinese that the United Kingdom Government has not
some ulterior motive connected with Hong Kong alone.
5.
Originally therefore, Hong Korg pressed for no change
whatever in nomenclature.
Following the Governor's visit to
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