CONFIDENTIAL
Nationality and Treaty Department
Foreign and Commonwealth Office Clive House Petty France London SW1H 9HD
AR Paul Esq British Embassy THE HAGUE
DKK 340/
RECEIVES IN REGISTRY
03 DEC1986
Telephone 01-213 3794
Mr. Hill
1101
Your reference
Our reference
GNP 344/6
Date
20 November 1986
Dear Paul,
DESK OFFICER
RECISTRY
INDEX
PA
Action Taken
mek,
13/12
HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY HOLDERS IN THE NETHERLANDS
1. In my interim reply of 6 November to your letter of 30 October, I said that the questions raised by the Dutch concerning returnability to Hong Kong of CI holders had been referred to the Hong Kong Immigration Department. The Director of Immigration has now replied as follows:-
"You asked for my advice on Paul's letter of 30 October to Le Breton.
2.
The intention is that CIs should be withdrawn when the holder achieves permanent resident status outside Hong Kong. From paragraph 4 of LUR it would appear that CI holders with either of the two residence permits described therein are eligible to retain their CIs and to apply for replacements in accordance with DSP.
3.
I should emphasise that persons who are "Chinese residents" under our Immigration Ordinance retain their right to land in Hong Kong regardless of the type of travel document held.
A change of document from CI to Dutch Aliens Passport does not mean loss of returnability to Hong Kong.
4. As indicated in your Telno 1177, we are prepared to consider applications by the Dutch to deport former holders of HK CÌs on a case by case basis. If the Dutch take up this offer, we should be grateful for an assessment of numbers involved. We would hope that any such deportations would be spared publicity, but take place as part of routine immigration operations.
5. Grateful for clarification of paragraph 5 of LUR. The Document of Identity is issued to recent arrivals from China, with less than seven years residence, who do not qualify for a Certificate of Identity. It seems odd that the Dutch are prepared to treat this group more favourably than CI holders.
Signed A J Carter".
CONFIDENTIAL
/2.