STATELESSNESS
CONFIDENTIAL
Jakk 3404
RECEIVE
A STRY
- 4 DEC 1986
STRY
INDEX
PA
tion Taken
nat.
mek
A
ETHNIC MINORITY BDTES A PROBLEM FOR UK
4. We have fulfilled our obligations by providing British nationality for them and two generations of their
descendants born after 1997. Joint Declaration, as you know, guarantees those who are permanent residents of Hong Kong the right of abode in Hong Kong. We have thus ensured that these peole have a recognised citizenship until about the middle of the 21st century and a place to live in as of right. This is the most appropriate arrangement: all their ties are with Hong Kong, and that is where
is where they want to
live.
WHAT ABOUT SUBSEQUENT GENERATIONS?
5.
Under British nationality the ability to transmit British nationality to persons born abroad is limited to two generations. We would expect people whose connection with the UK or a dependent territory had receded far into the past to seek to acquire the nationality of the country with which they had their main
their main connections. By the time the third generation of descendants living in the HKSAR of ethnic minority BDTCs is born, their families could have been living in the HKSAR for about 50 years, and in Hong. Kong for far longer than that. They would have contributed Makes sense for them to the community over many decades.
the citizenship of
in which country
they are living. We believe it would be right for that citizenant" to be made readily available to them, what origin.
to
seek
(If opportunity arises)
Understan
from outside China have been
We understand for example there are com
understand
minorities
China
Tapanese in
(parts of
ethnic Russians in China. We would be intereste
there
how the Chinese Government solved that nationality probl
CONFIDENT'TAT.
1070)