Verv
NICD
PHP
will
the vast majority of people the 800 status show not be
an option. This has been disputed recently arising from a
series of articles in the Hong Kong Economic Journal
status
h
arguing that the BOC was better than the BN (0,7and
suggesting hat the British purpose behind the proposed
BN(0) phased programme was to prevent people becoming
BOCS. These articles and the Government response to them
are at Annex C with translation.
The Advantages of the BN(Q) Passport over the BOC Passport
5.
The BN(0) passport is intended, by agreement
between Britain and China, and by the Hong Kong
Government, as the normal passport for Hong Kong people
after 1997 or at least for those who wish to keep, the
British connection and/or travel facility. The-BOG
passport is residual. As such the Hong Kong Government's
efforts, assisted by Britain, have been directed to
building up and maintaining the BN (0) status and travel
facility abroad. The BN(0) passport now enjoys visa-free
entry to more than 70 countries. We have now achieved
parity with the BDTC : only Austria gives visa-free entry
to BOTCS and not BN(0)s (Mauritius having recently
equalised) and Mexico now gives it to BN (0)'s and not
BDTCS. (We are in active negotiation with Austria).
not know how many countries allow BOC passport holders
We do