FARADK
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VISIT TO HONG KONG BY LORD GLENARTHUR, 16-19 SEPTEMBER
BRIEF NO 16: PRESS CONFERENCE
(vii) Nationality, ID Cards, Right of Abode, etc
(BN (0) Passports)
1.
BN (0) status designed to apply after 1997. Introduced now to enable people of Hong Kong and immigration authorities worldwide to get used to it. HMG mounted major campaign to explain the status to
other governments. Very carefully prepared. Response very good. Many governments declared publicly their acceptance; none has said will not accept. Where there have been teething troubles HMG has acted promptly and effectively to overcome them.
do so.
Will continue to
We are confident the passport will be as widely accepted as any other British passport. It is an ordinary British passport. Anything new takes getting used to. But we are sure people will find it enables them to travel as widely and freely as they do now.
Defensive
2.
Not possible for HMG to make formal statement on behalf of other countries in relation to BN (0) passports.
3. Still at early stage in introduction of new passport. In some cases governments may be a little slow in giving instructions to Embassies/Consulates. Unfortunate, but an aspect of bureaucracy
such short term problems do not mean passport invalid.
(New ID Cards)
4.
HKG introduced change of format from 1 July to ensure that ID
cards can remain in use after 1997. Sensible transitional measure,
agreed with Chinese Government.
5.
Nothing to do with nationality. ID cards reflect holders' immigration status, have no bearing on nationality status.
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