952 545 2üdü
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4.
(e)
(f)
(S)
(h)
The right
as their permanent place of residence. of abode for foreign nationals had already been enshrined in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law. The Chinese authority was also keen that people in Hong Kong with non-Chinese race should continue to stay in Hong Kong.
The applicants' ethnic origin was not a factor of consideration under the British Nationality Scheme which had made no special provision for any ethnic groups. All eligible candidates, including the ethnic minorities had to compete with each other for a place in the British Nationality Scheme.
There had been some inter-governmental discussions in respect of those Indian and Pakistanese passport holders residing in Hong Kong. The Indian and the Pakistani governments apparently were also aware of the concern of those ethnic minorities holding BDTC or BN (0) passports. If it was the wish of the ethnic minorities, the Hong Kong Government was prepared to raise the matter with their respective Governments on the question of passports of their countries of ethnic origin.
The Hong Kong Government did not have the information on the number of ethnic minorities who succeeded in the British Nationality Scheme because applicants were not required to disclose their ethnic origin in their applications.
British Consulate protection after 1997 would be accorded to non-Chinese nationals holding British passports. Discussion was going on with China on how "Chinese nationals" could be defined.
Members disagreed with the Administration that the ethnic minorities should be treated the same as Chinese residents in Hong Kong. They considered that the ethnic minorities would be more vulnerable than other groups in Hong Kong after 1997 and separate arrangement should be made for them. that the request for full British Nationality for the ethnic
They pointed out minorities was endorsed by the whole Council in January 1986 when "The White Paper on the praft Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986′′ was debated. They felt that the case of the ethnic minorities before the British Government would be stronger if it would have full support from the Hong Kong Government.
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Members decided to seek the support of the House Committee of the ethnic minorities' request for full British nationality. In the meantime, the Administration should help to identify the size of the problem, Administration to provide the following information at the next
They requested the meeting: