DRAFT PRESS BACKGROUND
HONG KONG:
1.
NATIONALITY AND RIGHT OF ABODE
Hong Kong will cease to be a British Dependent Territory
on 1 July 1997. This has implications for the nationality
and right of abode of all British Dependent Territories
Citizens (BDTCs) who hold that status by virtue of a
connection with Hong Kong.
NATIONALITY
2. China has agreed that BDTCs may acquire a new form
of British nationality before 1 July 1997 and retain it
for the rest of their lives. This new form will be
known as British National (Overseas).
3. Under a Hong Kong Nationality Order-in-Council it
is proposed that from 1 July 1987 any BDTC by virtue of a
connection with Hong Kong will be entitled to register
as a BN(O), and to be issued with a BN(O) passport, which
will stipulate that:
4.
"The holder of this passport has Hong Kong
Permanent Identity Card No.
•
which
states that the holder has the right of
abode in Hong Kong."
The BN(0)s will be entitled to receive British consular
services and protection in third countries.
BN(0) status
will not be transmissible by descent.
5.
Unless they have registered as BN (0)s, all Hong Kong
BDTCS on 1 July 1997 will either:
a.
b.
automatically become Chinese citizens if they
are of Chinese origin; or
automatically become British Overseas Citizens
(BOCs) if they would otherwise be left stateless.
16.