10
Section XIV of Annex I to the Joint Declaration once
they have established that they have taken Hong Kong
as their place of permanent residence. The British
and Chinese Governments have through discussions in
the
Joint
Liaison Group reached
a
common
understanding that the way to establish that such a
person has taken Hong Kong as his place of permanent
residence will be the signing of a simple declaration
by the person in question.
apply to other non-Chinese
enjoy the right of abode
This method will also
nationals who will not
in Hong Kong now but who
wish to acquire that right in the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region under the relevant provisions.
This is a practical
of the Joint Declaration.
arrangement which should reassure
nationals of their continued
right of abode in Hong Kong.
non-Chinese
ability to enjoy the
14
Provisions for the acquisition of the right
of abode in Hong Kong by long-term Hong Kong
residents (by which I mean those who have been here
continuously for at least 7 years) other than those
who will fall within the category of "Hong Kong
permanent residents" as defined are not contained in
the present proposals. This is because those people
will not be eligible to hold a British National
(Overseas) passport or a
Certificate of Identity.