RIGHT OF ABODE
Bil
1.
How does the agreement guarantee right of abode in Hong Kong for non-ethnic
Chinese BDTCs?
LINE TO TAKE
Section XIV of Annex 1 to the Joint Declaration guarantees right of abode in Hong
Kong after June 1997 for non-ethnic Chinese who have been ordinarily resident in
Hong Kong for seven years or more and taken it as their place of permanent residence
(either before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region on 1 July 1997); and persons under 21 years of age who were born of such
persons in Hong Kong (again before or after 1 July 1997); and any other persons
who had the right of abode only in Hong Kong before 1 July 1997. As I have said,
this covers all non-ethnic Chinese BDTCs in Hong Kong unless they have left Hong
Kong permanently and have the right of abode elsewhere.
2.
Will the reference to Hong Kong in the agreed passport endorsement also apply
to the Special Administrative Region in Hong Kong after July 1997?
LINE TO TAKE
Yes. The Chinese have agreed in principle that in this context the reference to
Hong Kong means Hong Kong before 1997, and the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region after. 1997.
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