The Future of Hong Kong
1.
See Brief No B2 for China Visit.
Nationality Act 1981
2.
categories.
Hong Kong never liked proposals for separate citizenship
Would have much preferred no change from unitary
citizenship of UK and Colonies. Some changes to suit Hong
Kong were agreed, eg additional category of British Dependent
Territories' Citizen (BDTCs); entitlement to registration of
BDTC as British Citizen after 5 years' residence in UK.
3.
Hong Kong saw proposals as attempt to distance Hong
Kong from UK. Home Office saw Hong Kong's proposals as
attempt to frustrate aim of separate citizenship for those
closely connected with the UK itself.
4.
In last stages of Bill in Lords, Hong Kong particularly
anxious to have statement in Act that BDTCs were British
Nationals. IMG opposed because primary purpose of Act (to
clarify situation by bringing citizenship categories into
line with immigration status and rights of abode) would have
been undermined. Gibraltar amendment and Ministerial assurances
that discretionary treatment would be given to those Falklanders
who do not have the right of abode in UK have added to ill-feeling
15.
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