Personal
11th October, 1982.
Dear Sir,
"MODIFICATION OF NATIONAL ACT."
The Hong Kong community is glad to learn that the U.K. is ready to yield to changes of the Nationality Act. change of heart follows' strong and constant lobbying by both the
This possible Hong Kong Government and Unofficial members of the Executive and Legislative Councils.. There is now talk in Government circles that a new description stressing the Britishness of the 23 million Hong Kong Passport holders may be included in the Travel Documents as from next year. This change is very important to British Subjects of Hong Kong; otherwise, if the New Amendments of the Act is passed, Hong Kong Passport holders will only become, "BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORY CITIZENS." If the Hong Kong Passport holders of British Fassports should be classified and stressed as: "BRITISH SUBJECT CITIZENS," of the U.K., would no doubt foster the support of the community towards the Hong Kong Government and cement better friendships between Hong Kong and the U.K.
The possible change of the description "British Dependent Territory Citizens" of the U.K. might perhaps be half good and half bad. "BRITISH SUBJECT CITIZENS" of the U.K. is the best. Particularly for those who became British Subjects by naturalization should have priority according to International Law. In order to restore trust to the United Kingdom's principles and justice something should be done in the right time. This issue is so important to the prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. Some of my humble views in respect of limiting immigrants to the U.K. are:-
1). People who have resided in H.K. for over a period of 25 years,
and those who became British Subjects by naturalization.
2). Educated, knowledgeable, and skillful persons.
3). Wealthy people, who will not rely for livilihood or subsistence
from the U.K.
4). Other categories as recommended and specified by the Hong Kong
Government.
By the above foregoing permissable points, the estimated immigrants would not exceed 300,000. Indirect methods would be for the U.K. to arrange with Australia and New Zealand, etc. to admit H.K. citizens to become residents of their lands. Some Commonwealth Countrie. have even allowed Vietnamese Refugees to reside and become citizens of their nations, so why should Hong Kong be exceptional? Now that the H.K. community is faced with the uncertainty problem of 1997, quivering on the brink of panic and crest-fallen, why should more worries of a National Act be piled to their shoulders? Should not the U.K. boost their morale by injecting some glad tidings as a Christmas Present, that the Act. will surely be modified, to show their Britishness and that the U.K. has not yet forsaken them for their past labours, patience, skill and dexterity to the progress of the Colony? Please think and re-consider, as British Passport holders of Hong Kong are eagerly awaiting the glad tidings. Best wishes.
Yours sincerely,
for FONG SHU FOOK TONG FOUNDATION
A
(MR. FONG YUN WAH, M.B.E.)
YWF:IW.