Scheme.

Line to take

6. It is suggested that the general line to take should be (i)

to point to the very full and careful consideration which the

Government has given in the past to this issue at the highest

levels most recently in the context of the British Nationality

Scheme; (ii) to say that the Government's view remains that

there is no case for special treatment and that the position of

the ethnic minorities has been adequately protected, both in the

Joint Declaration and Basic Law and also by the assurances which

the Government has given about action it would take in the event

of an emergency; but (iii) to give further consideration to

points made during the meeting.

didn't Incorporate

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interpretation of Bi d JD I was

7. On the specific criticisms just mentioned in paragraph 5

above the following points might be made:

-

right of abode in Hong Kong this is primarily a matter

for the Foreign Office and Hong Kong Government, who have

this depended on no doubts that the Joint Declaration and article 24 (2)(6)

a subject of discussion in JLG. & spelling out

that Live Ding said muus

of the Basic Law guarantees the ethnic minorities' right of

abode in Hong Kong if they do not have a right of abode

elsewhere. The Chinese authorities have said that they are

keen that people in Hong Kong of non-Chinese race should

remain there. They have also said that ethnic minorities

can apply for Chinese citizenship as well as Hong Kong

Special Administrative Region passports after the change of

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