CONFIDENTIAL
HOW DOES STATUS DIFFER FROM BOC?
9.
It is not intended that there should be any major differences
the proposed BN (0)
under UK law between holders of the
existing BOC status.
status and the
[IF PRESSED]
Descendants of BOCs
certain circumstances.
may acquire BOC status by registration in
BN(0) may not be acquired after 1997.
WILL BN(0) PASSPORTS STATE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG?
10.
Yes.
A statement to this effect will be entered by HMG with
respect to the period before 1997. A s
laid down in Section XIV of
Annex I to the Joint Declaration, we shall after 1997 be able to
state that the holder of the passport holds a permanent SAR identity
card which is evidence of his right of abode in the SAR.
NEED TO CARRY SAR IDENTITY CARD AS WELL AS BN(0) PASSPORT?
11.
The Government will be discussing with Chinese authorities the
wording of a statement to be included in BN (0) passports. The aim
will be to ensure that an individual need make use only of his
passport, without also having to provide his identity card, to
satisfy immigration officials
right of abode in Hong Kong.
of third countries that he has the
INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF SAR AND
12.
NEW-STYLE PASSPORTS?
The Government have undertaken to make every effort to explain
arrangements to third countries.
This will be done between
enactment of Order in Council and issue of BN(0) passports. Given
clear indication of right of abode, no reason for third countries to
introduce new restrictions on entry of BN(0) passport holders.
WILL NEW PASSPORTS BE ISSUED BEFORE 1997? WILL THEY RUN IN PARALLEL
WITH OLD PASSPORTS?
13. No decision yet. But will be issued well before 1997. At the
same time, BDTC status will remain
up to 30 June 1997.
BN (0) status will be
period during which
BDTC
and
concurrently.
Will be
held
CONFIDENTIAL
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