JH1ADH
CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG: NATIONAL I TY
1.
Boubtless an
obrims Evertin: mo
British nationality then, and a paroport, does not comply any In the like for either BDTCS or
Bulion
right to settle
BNO(S).
The negotiation with the Chinese on the Exchange of
Memorandum
Declaration
not accept
was
on nationality associated with the Joint
particularly difficult. The Chinese do
accept the
dual nationality, and do not
existence of British Dependent Territories citizenship by
virtue of a connection with Hong Kong. As far as they are concerned, the ethnic Chinese population of Hong Kong are
Chinese nationals. In the negotiations we persuaded them
to accept however that after 1 July 1997 BDTCs should be
able to retain a British passport
We had to agree that this
status would no longer be known as British Dependent
Territories citizenship and that it would not be
transmissible to further generations.
2.
as
The Hong Kong Bill set out the framework for the
legislation necessary to implement the UK Memorandum and
enabled this to be effected through an Order in Council.
this Order in Council will deprive British Dependent
Territories citizens by virtue of a connection with Hong
Kong of that status but enable them to acquire on application a new form of British nationality to be known
British National (Overseas). We estimate that there are about 31/4 million BDTCs in Hong Kong and we expect
most of these will apply for British National
(Overseas) status in the period up to 1997. We will
introduce the status and the new passport in 1987 to allow as long a lead time as possible to enable third countries
to get used to this new status and to avoid unnecessary bunching of applications in 1997 itself.
that
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THE ORIGINAL HAS BEEN
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...40 YEARS UNDER FOI EXEMPTION NO.7.(1)_____
CONFIDENTIAL