DRAFT LETTER FROM FRANCIS MAUDE MP TO ALL CONSERVATIVE
MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT
HONG KONG
The Feb 1988
One or two newspaper reports have put a misleading gloss on recent statements made in China about the future
of Hong Kong. Characteristically, Kaufman and his
colleagues have added to the muddle.
a
The position is clear. Chinese nationality law does not recognise dual nationality. You are either a Chinese
citizen or the citizen of a foreign country. The
Provides for Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong accepted that
the public service a small number of top jobs in government and
administration should, after the territory reverted to
Curize nationals Chinese rule, be reserved for citizens of the People's
Republic. What has now been reported in the Chinese press is that China may propose (no decision has yet been taken) to extend that list of reserved posts. Perhaps 50 or 60 jobs in government and administration would, under this reported proposal, be reserved for Chinese
citizens.
As for consular protection, full British citizens anywhere in the world are entitled to consular protection. Hong Kong holders of BDTC and BOC passports (which carry no right of abode here) are in a different position. After 1997 they will be Chinese nationals who would not get British consular protection except when
travelling outside China on their BDTC/BOC passport. This arrangement was embodied in the Joint Declaration
and has not been changed.
Page 120Page 121