CONFIDENTIAL
Right of abode endorsement in the passport
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At present BDTC (HK) passports show right of abode in Hong Kong. It is
crucial to the confidence of Hong Kong in the passport and its acceptability
to third countries that the BN(0) passport should do also.
Since BN (0) passports will be valid beyond 30 June 1997 when the UK loses
sovereignty over Hong Kong the endorsement had to be agreed with the Chinese
using a fairly neutral form of words which did not cause offence by suggesting
that the right of abode was conferred by us. The Joint Declaration provides
that holders of permanent identity cards of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region may have this fact stated in their travel documents as evidence of
the right of abode in Hong Kong. The endorsement which has been agreed in Prozple "The holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity card No (XYZ)
which states the holder's right of abode in Hong Kong" has been agreed on
Fowl this basis. ffrent is expected at the heat way of in 5-2-5-
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Hong Kong will produce the new permanent identity cards in time for 1 July 1987.
Acceptance of the BN (0) Passport by Third Countries
The international acceptability of BN (0) passports has been one of the major
Hong Kong concerns. Within this concern lie 2 issues: the securing of
the same rights for BN(0)s as for BDTCs (HK) and having a passport which
shows right of abode in, and therefore returnability to, Hong Kong so that
the holder has no problems at immigration controls. Foreign and Commonwealth
Office will take the lead in the presentation of the new status and the
passport to third countries once the Order has been made in 1986 and before
4 - 3 the issue of passports in 1987. Already however, the United States through
Vice-President Bush have announced that the US will accept BN (0) passports,
there has been a helpful response from the Australian Government and the
EC Parliament has passed a helpful resolution encouraging member states
to abolish visa requirements for BDTC passport holders visiting their countries.
Additionally, informal discussion with the consulates of a number of nations
suggests that there will be no difficulty in their accepting the BN(0) status
so long as they are satisfied as to the passport holder's returnability
to Hong Kong. The formula which has been agreed with the Chinese makes
quite clear that this is the case and we anticipate therefore few problems.