X.
CONFIDENTIAL
They will be entitled to BN(0) status but if for any reason they do not become
BN(0)s, they will nevertheless have a recognized nationality status, and so
will the descendants of BN(0)s and British Overseas citizens until well into
the middle of the next century.
17.
The Government recognise, of course, that nationality status alone is
not sufficient. It is equally important that those now established in Hong
Kong should continue to have a right of abode there. Clearly, right of abode
in Hong Kong after June 1997 cannot be secured by holding any form of British
nationality, since Hong Kong will no longer be part of British territory.
For this reason the Agreement made separate provisions to safeguard rights
of abode in Hong Kong. These are set out in Section X1V of Annex I to the
Joint Declaration. As far as the non-ethnic Chinese community is concerned,
they guarantee the right of abode in Hong Kong after 1997 to all those who
have been ordinarily resident for seven years in Hong Kong either before or
after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and
who have taken it as their place of permanent residence. The same guarantee
extends to their children; and also to anyone who had right of abode only
in Hong Kong before 1 July 1997. They cover all the non-ethnic Chinese British
Dependent Territories citizens in Hong Kong, unless they have left Hong Kong
permanently and have the right of abode elsewhere.
18. The Indian community in particular, with support from the Unofficial
Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils of Hong Kong, argue that
these provisions do not go far enough. They are concerned firstly that BN(0)
status will not itself give them right of abode in Hong Kong: this will be
a matter for the Chinese Government. And secondly, they are concerned about
the future of their descendants after the second generation born after 1997.
They have therefore asked to be granted British citizenship, rather than
BN(0) or BOC status. British citizenship does, of course, carry with it the
right of abode in the UK.
19. I have to say that the Government is not persuaded that it would be right
to grant British citizenship to BDTCs in these circumstances. British citizenship will not help them to secure their future in Hong Kong, which is where they
wish to continue to live. Their future is secured under the agreement. Furthermore, it would not benefit future generations any more than the present proposals. British citizenship can be transmitted to only one generation born abroad. The second generation has an entitlement to registration as
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