Tack of a "proper" nationality and passport and the absence of
a right of abode in any part of the world after 1997. Their fear
is that they and future generations will be stateless, vulnerable
and isolated in Hong Kong. The solution is seen to be the
granting of "full" British citizenship and right of abode in the
United Kingdom.
The Government's position
4. The Government's position is as follows:-
a.
The ethnic minorities will not be stateless.
Three-quarters
of them hold Indian or Pakistani passports and have been allowed
to remain indefinitely in Hong Kong. The Joint Declaration and
the Basic Law provide for them to acquire the additional status
of permanent resident with right of abode in Hong Kong. The
minority with no nationality other than BDTC, BN (0) or BOC will
retain British nationality either BN(0) or BOC after 1997.
They will retain the right of abode in Hong Kong after 1997.
b. None of their children or grandchildren will be stateless.
The Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 specifically
provides that the children of BDTCs (including those from the
ethnic minorities) will have BOC status if they would otherwise
be stateless and that their
grandchildren will have an
entitlement to
to acquire this status by registration if the
grandparents were BDTCs other than by descent. Those who are not
BDTCS but wish to secure right of abode before 1997 may do so by
applying to become BDTCs.