6. WILL CHINESE GUARANTEE ACQUISITION
OF CHINESE CITIZENSHIP BY
APPLICANTS?
Chinese Government have confirmed that non-Chines
who meet the legal requirements under the Chinese
nationality law may apply for Chinese nationality
and that such cases would be dealt with by the
appropriate authorities. Would not expect the
Chinese Government, any more than any other
Government, to give firm guarantee of citizenship
But we will be discussing this
I to everybody. Bu Chinese cover discus
7.
HOW WILL RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG
KONG BE SECURED?
8.
9.
DOES HMG AGREE THAT NON-CHINESE
MINORITY NEED A SAFETY NET IN
CASE THINGS DO NOT WORK OUT?
IS THE GOVERNMENT AWARE THAT
BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZENSHIP IS
NOT A SATISFACTORY STATUS?
No form of British nationality can confer right
of abode in Hong Kong after June 1997, when
Hong Kong ceases to be British territory.
Rights of abode in Hong Kong are safeguarded
under the Agreement. The provisions cover all
non-Chinese British Dependent Territories citizen.
in Hong Kong, unless they have left Hong Kong
permanently and have right of abode elsewhere.
Not sensible to go into the next 11 years expecti,
the worst. Have every reason for confidence
in the Agreement. But if circumstances were
to change, then my rt hon Friend the Home Secreta
has made clear that we would expect the Governmen
of the day to consider sympathetically individual
applications to come here.
We do not accept this. British Overseas
citizenship is a recognised form of British
nationality. British Overseas citizens may
travel on British passports, and are entitled
to British consular protection in third countries
There are many thousands of British Overseas
citizens in many parts of the world and I am
sure Your Lordships would not wish to give credan
to false suggestions which might make their
position more difficult.
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