Background
4.
The Joint Declaration on the question of
Hong Kong was accompanied by an Exchange of Memoranda
between Her Majesty's Government and the Chinese
Government setting out their respective positions as
to the status of British Dependent Territories
citizens (BDTCs) in Hong Kong and related issues.
Her Majesty's Government in their Memorandum state
that all those who on 30 June 1997 are BDTCS by
virtue of a connection with Hong Kong will cease to
have that status from 1 July 1997, nor will it be
possible to acquire BDT citizenship by virtue of a
connection with Hong Kong on or after 1 July 1997.
But those who will lose BDT citizenship will be
eligible to retain an appropriate status (not to be
acquired by anyone born on or after 1 July 1997)
which will enable them to continue to use British
passports, provided that they hold or are included in
such a passport before 1 July 1997 (or 31 December
1997 if born in the first six months of that year).
Arrangements will be made for the renewal and
replacement of the new passports by United Kingdom
Consular Officers, and for the holders of such
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