British nationality would not result in the automatic loss of any form of British nationality held (with the exception of British subject and BPP status). But the point to remember is that the only persons who will become Chinese after 1997 are any non-ethnic Chinese who seek Chinese nationality under their Law. As I understand if Chinese Law does not permit dual nationality and the price to be paid for becoming Chinese would presumably be to have to renounce any other
nationality. As far as the ethnic Chinese in Hong Kong are concerned, the dual nationality problem is side stepped by not recognising the validity of the "British" status - the Chinese memorandum attached to the Joint Declaration and the continuing "non-recognition" statements about British citizenship acquired under the 1990 Act illustrate this.
B4 Division
LH3.10
K G GAME
August 1990