MACAU
File
HVID 340/9
RECEIVER
EGISTRY
14 JUN 1990
Points to make:
DESK OFFICER
INDEX
PA
REGISTRY
sacxvon Taken
Under Portuguese nationality law, only those born in Macali 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.
This is roughly one-fifth of the total population.
This is not new and the reasons for it are largely historical.
This is not a new initiative by the Portuguese Government.
They will have the same freedom of movement in the EC as other
Portuguese nationals. This is not new.
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.
TOYAEW