ME2ANE(2)
Background
General
CONFIDENTIAL
Nationality
1.
At present, there are in the territory three and a quarter million British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTC), nearly all of them ethnically Chinese. The question of nationality is a sensitive one in Hong Kong. During the negotiations on Hong Kong's future
Hong Kong people were concerned not to lose their British nationality as a result of the transfer of sovereignty. The Chinese Government regard all ethnic Chinese residents of Hong Kong, whether
BDTCs or not, as Chinese nationals. Chinese nationality law does not permit dual nationality. In an exchange of memoranda associated
with the Joint Declaration it has been
been agreed between the British
and Chinese Governments that BDTCs in Hong Kong may continue to use British passports after 1997, but not with BDTC status.
2. An Order in Council to implement the UK Memorandum was made on 5 June 1986. Under its provisions Hong Kong BDTCs will cease to have BDTC status on 1 July 1997. They will, however, be able to
acquire before that date a
British new nationality status known as National (Overseas) (BN(0)). This status will carry rights similar
to those of BDTC status but it will not be subsequent generations (a point which the Chinese were not prepared to concede). Passports in the new status of BN (0) will be issued
from 1 July 1987.
3.
them
in these
transmissible
arrangements
to
is
the
to
The most sensitive element position of 11,500 BDTCs in Hong Kong who are not ethnically Chinese (most are Indians). This group asked Her Majesty's Government
grant
British citizenship. After careful consideration HMG concluded it would not be right to grant this request. (There was
FCO Office and some tough bargaining between
Mr Waddington about
Secretaries of State became involved, and the matter went to OD (K).) The rationale for the decision was British citizenship would not give the ethnic minorities the right
between Mr Renton
others which were met.
and
Home
officials
and this request,
and
two
that