CONFIDENTIAL
CONSCRIPTION/PLA
11.
Believe fears of people of Hong Kong on these points are
understood in Peking. These are matters for Chinese Government, I have no doubt that they will act prudently.
Chinese have not stated that they will conscript Hong Kong
12.
People.
TRANSMISSIBILITY
but
13. Understand disappointment in Hong Kong. Fought for it up to
last minute of negotiations.
STATELESSNESS
14. No one will be made stateless by agreement. We shall provide in legislation for non-Chinese BDTCs who do not acquire new status by 1997 and children of non-Chinese BDTCs born after 1 July 1997 to have a form of British nationality if they would otherwise be
stateless.
PASSPORTS
15. No decisions yet on passport format or timing of changes. Questionable however whether sudden change of passport style in 1997
is best way of ensuring acceptance by foreign governments.
CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
16.
Understand concern of Hong Kong people that change should not be too rapid or destabilising. There will need to be evolution if by 1997 there is to be a firmly-based, representative government in
local hands. But fully agree that approach must be step-by-step.
CONFIDENTIAL