so many for many years to be able to seek Chinese nationality. The Chinese Government
L
have confirmed that those who are not Chinese but who meet the legal
requirements may apply for Chinese nationality and that such cases would be
dealt with by the appropriate authorities.
Of course, we cannot expect the
Chinese any more than any other Government to give firm and blanket undertakings so far in advance, But we intend to explore this matter further
with the Chinese Government during the course of our continuing detailed
discussions with them.
&
17. There are those who argue that given the circumstances of Hong Kong it
would nevertheless be right to grant British citizenship with the right of
abode in this country to people who are not ethnically Chinese in case at any
time circumstances were to change and they had to leave. Of course we have
to make judgements now in the light of our understanding of the present
circumstances, and if circumstances were substantially to change there would
no doubt need to be a good deal of reconsideration and readjustment. But it
would not be sensible to go into the next 11 years planning for the worst,
and we have no reason at all to do so. We are confident of the agreement and
of the commitment of the parties to that agreement But I have already made clear, and I repeat again today, that if nevertheless any British National S
were at any time to come under pressure to leave Hong Kong, we would expect
the Government of the day to consider sympathetically their admission to the
United Kingdom on a case by case basis.
“ /
18.
I have taken the time of the House in explaining our proposals for the
British Dependent Territories citizens who are not ethnically Chinese since
aime
I recognize the importance which the House and which the people of Hong Kong attach to wanted too to leave no-one in any doubt that while in the
present circumstances we do not believe it is right or necessary to grant them
British citizenship, we recognize and accept our responsibilities to all British
Dependent Territories citizens in Hong Kong, and we believe these responsibiliti‹
have been fully and fairly met. We have made arrangements to ensure that no-
one need fear statelessness and that they can continue to live in Hong Kong.
And we are confident that any British Government will of course continue to
ensure that their interests are reflected and their position taken carefully
into account in the years ahead. We give this undertaking to those British
Dependent Territories citizens who are not ethnically Chinese as we do to all
British Nationals in Hong Kong.
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dufs uusen altached.