go, far
16. The non-ethnic Chinese community in Hong Kong, supported by the Unofficial
have argued Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UNELO)/ that the nationality
and right, of abode provisions do not enough. They say that unlike
(who can expect to be recognized by the Chinese authorities as Chinese nationals) ethnic Chinese BDTCs/they will not have a right of abode in Hong Kong by
virtue of their nationality. And they are concerned about the nationality status of their descendants after the second generation born after 1997. They therefore asked to be granted British citizenship, which carries with
it the right of abode in the United Kingdom, rather than BN (0) or BOC
status.
17.
I have to tell your Lordships that the Government is not persuaded that it would be right to grant this request. British citizenship cannot
give
the right of abode in Hong Kong. The for non-ethnic Chinese people continued right to live and work there is guaranteed by the Agreement.
the granting of British citizenship Nor would/ be of any advantage to future generations. In line with
a
fundamental principle of our nationality law for many years, British citizenship can be transmitted to only one generation born abroad. Under the British Nationality Act 1981 the second generation born abroad has
an entitlement to registration as British citizens if certain ancestral
conditions are met, which are similar to the proposed entitlement to
registration as BOCs. The third and subsequent generations born abroad
have no claim to British citizenship, nor, generally any entitlement to
registration.
18. There is therefore no benefit to be gained by third and subsequent
generations born after 1997 by conferring British citizenship on non-ethnic
Instead Chinese BDTCs in Hong Kong. the Government's proposals, together with the Agreement, will provide all Hong Kong BDTCs with a recognised nationality
status and a place to call their home. They provide non-ethnic Chinese
BDTCs in Hong Kong with a form of British nationality until well into
And the middle of the next century. Tas Ministers made clear during the debate
on the Hong Kong Bill, the Government's view is that the right course
for those who have permanently settled in what will by then have been
part of China for many years is for them to apply to become Chinese nationals, although they will not, of course, be compelled to do so. We have discussed this with the Chinese Government in the Sino-British Joint Liaison group,
and they have confirmed that Chinese nationality laws allow stateless
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