MACAU
Points to make:
CONFIDENTIAL
Under Portuguese nationality law, only those born in Macau of
Portuguese parents automatically have the right of Portuguese
citizenship.
Others can acquire it by completing 6 years residence in Macau,
and also producing proof of written and spoken Portuguese, have
no criminal record, ability to earn a living and proof of a
cultural connection with Portugal.
Approximately 100,000 people in Macau hold Portuguese
nationality. Because of the conditions stipulated to obtain
Portugese citizenship it is unlikely that many more will qualify
up to 1999.
It is not sensible to try and draw comparisons between the two
situations.
The Portuguese are not operating an assurance
scheme' nor have they granted Portuguese nationality to all Macau
residents.
The numbers involved are quite different. There are half a million people in Macau - five million in Hong Kong.
Portugese citizens of Macau have the same freedom of movement in
the EC as other Portuguese nationals.
TOYAEW
CONFIDENTIAL