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Miss Woo states that Hong Kong Certificates of Identity and Documents of Identity are issued in accordance with the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Stateless persons. This may be So, but there is no mention of this anywhere in a Certificate of Identity. The notes inside front cover of a Certificate of Identity merely state : Certificate is issued for the sole purpose of providing the holder with identity papers in lieu of a national passport." The notes also state that the holder may return to Hong Kong during its validity without a visa. In other words the holder has unconditional right of re-entry to Hong Kong. The notes inside the back cover of a Certifiate of Identity state that if the holer takes up permanent residence outside Hong Kong, he should apply to the appropriate authority for a travel docuemnt. However, given the French view that residence is never permanent that note, in their view, ceases to be applicable.
5. The French view is very clear. We are, therefore, no longer withdrawing Certificates of Identity from long term residence permit holders or referring them to the local authorities and are forwarding to you all applications for renewals of Certificates of Identity or Declarations of Identity, as done in the case of Mr Lui Koon Wa.
6. You will no doubt wish to consider your position and let us know your views.
J. Daly
Her Majesty's Consul General
encs.