JO IUTOU 112(000) ME GOA
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"a statement to that effect (that BN(0) passports will state the right of abode in Hong Kong) will be entered by the Government with respect to the period before 1997 as laid down in section XIV of Annex I to the Joint Declaration. After 1997, we shall 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. The Government will discuss with the Chinese authorities the wording of the statement to be included in the BN(0) passports."
This I consider as a clear undertaking by Her Majesty's Government that a practical solution to the stating of the right of abode in Hong Kong on BN(0) passports will be sought with the Chinese authorities which in the end would not necessitate the carrying of an additional identification document by the holders of such passport when travelling abroad. The wording of the endorsement announced this morning and reported in the press has not fully addressed the particular point. I therefore must stress the new passport would only be acceptable if the endorsement could remove all doubts of immigration authorities in third countries regarding the returnability to Hong Kong of such passport holders without the need to produce additional identification document.
It was
The second point which I should like to raise, and which I mentioned briefly during the Policy Debate, is the ease of travel afforded by the proposed BN(0) passports as compared to the present BDTC passports held by Hong Kong residents. not until the question of freedom of travel was highlighted in this Council over a year ago that the public in general realised
A the degree of convenience offered by present BDTC passports. holder of such a passport can go to over 70 countries without the
This of course is the need to apply for a visa or entry permit.
the
result of years of hardwork of both the UK and the Hong Kong Governments. From our standpoint, naturally, we would like to
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