Background and arqument
5
3.
On signing the Joint Declaration the two
sides exchanged memoranda (JD 225 to 235: Annex A),
recording their understanding that Hong Kong BDTCS
would lose that status on 1 July 1997. But they would
be eligible to retain "an appropriate status" now
known as "British National (Overseas)" if they held
or were included in passports (1.e. BN (0) passports)
issued by HMG before that date. The new status would
not confer a right of abode in the UK. But the new
passports could be used for travel to places outside
Hong Kong.
4.
The understanding was formalised in the Hong
Kong Act 1985 and the subsequent Hong Kong (British
Nationality) Order 1986. The latter provides that the
status of Hong Kong BDTC will end on 1 July 1997; Hong
Kong BDTCs may acquire BN (0) status before that date.
Children born in 1997 before 1 July may be registered
before the end of the year. otherwise, nobody may
register as a BN (0) after 30 June 1997.