CONFIDENTIAL
4. As seen from here, another important aspect of this question is that, in view of the public interest generated in Hong Kong about the status of Hong Kong British passport holders under the proposed new Nationality Bill, if it were to become public knowledge in Hong Kong that we did not consider that we had an obligation to try and protect Hong Kong British passport holders travelling in China, this could result in a serious erosion of confidence in the British Government's political commitment to Hong Kong.
5.
No doubt many Hong Kong citizens who visit China each year do get into trouble but, because of their good local knowledge, they probably have ways and means of extricating themselves without calling on our assistance. But we think we should give such help if requested by Hong Kong British passport holders. If we find that this work resulted in a strain on our manpower resources then we would have to ask the Hong Kong Government to finance the extra manpower required.
But, so far, demands for consular assistance have
been minimal.
6
Therefore, although it is for you to decide on the wider policy issues involved, particularly as we do not have access to earlier papers on the subject, we consider that we have a moral and legal obligation to try and protect the interests of Hong Kong British passport holders and that when requested to do so we should act on their behalf. We should not use the warning on dual nationality which appears at the back of the passport as an excuse for not taking any action as implied in Hong Kong Immigration Departments response to Miss Cham. If, however, after taking action the Chinese authorities insist that the person concerned is a Chinese citizen, then it is at that stage that we should consider whether to pursue the case or drop it. Therefore, as it would be difficult to give a general ruling on the action we should take in these circumstances in our view each case should be considered on its merits.
I should be grateful for your views and those of Consular Department.
7.
cc: DC Wilson Esq
HONG KONG
Consular Department FCO
HK GD, FCO
CONFIDENTIAL
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M W Atkinson