C
Translation of the article
from the Ta Kung Pao of 22 October 1989
Title: The nationality question
Author: Tong Yuk-hon
What will be the nationality status after 1997 of those people who acquire a foreign passport without having settled overseas?
2.
According to the Chinese Nationality Law (CNL), China does not recognise dual nationality. Therefore, residents of the Hong Kong SAR, whether they are Chinese nationals, overseas Chinese or stateless persons, cannot hold a Chinese and a foreign nationality at the same time. According to the Exchange of Memoranda between the Chinese and the British Governments and the arrangements discussed in the Joint Liaison Group, Chinese nationals in the HKSAR can continue to use the "British National (Overseas) Passport" as a travel document. However, such document cannot be a proof of nationality both in the SAR and in mainland China. Nor can the BN (0) passport entitle its holder to the right of abode in the UK. The British Government's change of mind in granting the right of abode in the UK to all holders of BN (0) passports will obviously be welcome. (Tong did not say who would welcome this but the context suggests that
that Tong referred to Hong Kong people.) However, this will not affect the nationality status of BN (0) passport holders who stay in Hong Kong.
3.
The CNL provides that "(T)hose Chinese nationals who have settled abroad and who have been naturalised there or have acquired foreign nationality of his own free will, shall automatically lose
Chinese nationality.' This provision
is
their
a manifestation of
China's non-recognition of dual nationality. Hong Kong