Annex B
enable
At
HKSAR Certificate of Identity (HKSAR CI)
The
present, HKCIS are valid for ten years to the holders
to travel to all countries and territories except China and Macau. Since 1 July 1987, HKCIS have been issued to persons who have right of abode in Hong Kong, who hold Hong Kong permanent identity cards, and who cannot obtain national passports or travel documents of other countries or territories. consequence of this practice is that since that date, almost all HKCIS have been issued to persons of Chinese After 30 June 1997, most former HKCI holders of Chinese race will be Chinese citizens holding permanent identity cards of the HKSAR and therefore eligible for the HKSAR passport.
race.
2.
Before 1 July 1987, however, HKCIS were also issed to a small group of persons not of Chinese race who are on unconditional stay but do not have right of abode in Hong Kong and who cannot not obtain national passports or travel documents of other countries or territories. All these HKCIS will expire before 1 July 1997. When these HKCIS expire, if the holders have acquired right of abode in Hong Kong under the proposed legislative amendments to the Immigration Ordinance to accord right of abode on persons not of Chinese race (the proposal paper handed over to the Chinese side on 1 April 1993 refers), they can obtain HKCIS valid beyond 1 July 1997, otherwise they will get HKDIS valid beyond 1 July 1997. In either case, as from 1 July 1997, if these persons satisfy the requirements in Article 24 (2) (4) of the Basic Law, they will have right of abode in the HKSAR.
However, if such persons not of Chinese race are regarded as persons not of Chinese nationality, they will not be eligible for the HKSAR passport. After the expiry dates of their HKCIS or HKDIs, if they cannot obtain national passports or travel documents of any other state or region, they will need a travel document similar to the HKCI, the HKSAR CI.
3.
After 30 June 1997, most former HKDI holders who have completed the 7-year residence requirement will have right of abode in the HKSAR. If these persons are not eligible for the HKSAR passport, and cannot obtain national passports or travel documents of any other state or region, they should be eligible for the HKSAR CI.
4.
All
other stateless
persons,
irrespective of
whether they are former HKCI or HKDI holders, who have right of abode in the HKSAR and who cannot obtain national passports or travel documents of any other state or region, should also be eligible for the HKSAR CI.