27-187-1993 18:50
HI GOVERNMENT HOUSE
GENERAL BRIEF ON NATIONALITY
Background
898T TIS 238
P.10
Nationality has always been a sensitive and emotive issue in Hong Kong. A combination of loyalty to China and a desire for protection from China cause conflicting reactions to any change in this area. The recent arguments over unc cuhnic minorities, the wives ana widows of ex-servicemen and the phased programme for registration of BN(0)s have revived accusations that Britain has not fulfilled its obligations to Hong Kong
people.
2.
This
Many
These accusations originated in 1981 when former
Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies were classified into different types of British citizens.
felt that their nationality had been downgraded. feeling was reinforced by the disappointment over the nationality al langements ayleeû in the 1004 negotiatione which led to the Joint Declaration. The 1990 British
Nationality Scheme disappointed those who had hoped Britain would give full British citizenship to more than 50,000 households.
3.
These feelings underly, and should be seen as a background to, all the difficulties with current
nationality issues.
Line to Take
4.
The British Government has taken exceptional
measures to preserve the desire of some Hong kong people
to keep a British connection after 1997.
5.
These include the 1987 BN (0) passport itself, the
special 1990 British Nationality Scheme, and the BOC
option for non-Chinese who do not wish to become BN(0)s or
Chinese citizens.