TNAG-0355-FCO40-391-Identity-and-terminology-of-second-generation-residents-in-H-1972 — Page 11

CONFIDENTIAL

MR. LAIRD

HONG KONG: CITIZENSHIP

Reference.

Normally the inhabitants of a colony are "citizens of the United

Kingdom and Colonies" and the colony is not given its own citizen-

ship until independence. Exceptionally, the Central African

Federation, Southern Rhodesia and the State of Singapore were given

their own citizenships by amendment of the British Nationality Acts

and some dependent territories consisting partly of colonies and

partly of protectorates had the concept of citizenship in their

local law, eg the Federation of Malaya. HMG have resisted

suggestions that a separate citizenship under the British Nationality Acts should be given to other colonies (eg Fiji) and I cannot think

it would be appropriate to do this for Hong Kong.

2. As Sir Leslie says, the term "belonger" has been used to

describe persons with a particular connection with a particular

colony, and in some colonies other expressions with a similar

connotation have been used, e.g. "Bermudian status".

3. In theory I suppose the term "citizen" could be used in Hong Kong local law to describe belongers, and "Chinese residents" but it would be confusing to do this if there were no separate Hong Kong

citizenship under the British Nationality Acts.

4. We can hardly create a special nationality for Hong Kong and I

agree with your conclusion that it would be best to leave well

alone.

ARR

AR RUSHFORD

DEPUTY LEGAL ADVISER

17 May 1972

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