ел
Mr Hill HKD
CONFIDENTIAL
HKK 340
2 AUG 286
93=
Reference....
GNP 343/32
Minute in
reply.
pa
715/
aken
INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF BN(0)] PASSPORTS
You asked for NTD's comments on the various points raised in Hong Kong telegrams 2002 and 2003 of 27 June. They are as follows.
1.
Telno 2002
2.
Para. 1: We should try to avoid any comparisons being drawn between BOC and BN(0) status. We want to avoid drawing attention to the fact that BOCS do not have a right of abode anywhere, which might well result from too much emphasis on the fact that BN (0)s have right of abode in Hong Kong. The aim should be to convey to other countries that BN(0) will replace BDTC status for the Hong Kong people concerned (although of course BDTC-ship will not be lost by them until 1997).
3. Para. 2: The reference to 'international agreements or arrangements' is deliberately worded in a general form. I do not think we want to make specific reference to visa abolition agree- ments in our Notes to the heads of mission in London and those which our own missions will deliver to their host governments.
4. Paras. 3 and 4: As regards timing, September seems about right, particularly since it is acceptable to Hong Kong. As has already been suggested, a reminder could be given to foreign governments nearer to the time the first passports showing BN(0) status are to be issued.
1
5. If BN(O)s were to require visas for Canada the Canadian officials in Hong Kong seem to be right in saying that the passports would not be acceptable under their present legislation, which requires that a holder should be returnable to the passport-issuing country. The issuing authority for the passports will be the UK, while the right of abode will be in Hong Kong. Visa-free admission to Canada for BN(0)s in the same way as currently operates for BDTCS should therefore be the aim.
Telno 2003
6. Para. 2: The wording suggested by Hong Kong seems all right and does make the sense clearer, although the repetition of 'Her Majesty's Government' is a little clumsy.
7.
Para. 3: The word 'standard' was included in the draft letter to our overseas posts in the hope that they could make it clear to their host government that the passports would be in the normal format and would not be some completely new type of document. Perhaps 'normal' would be more acceptable to Hong Kong. Since it has now become clear that some categories of BDTCs who will be eligible to apply for BN(0) status will not have the right of abode in the Hong Kong SAR after 1 July 1997, para. 4 of the draft letter to our posts abroad, para. 5 of the draft Note to missions in London and para. 10 of the Annex to the former will have to be amended in this respect. We cannot categorically tell other governments that all BN(0)s will have the right of abode in, and
/therefore
CODE 18-77 AWO Ltd. 7/84
CONFIDENTIAL