TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 197

CONFIDENTIAL

ANNEX

77

EFFECTS ON BRITAIN'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE PUBLICATION OF HMG'S. PROPOSALS ON NATIONALITY LAW

1. While the proposals may be well received by a majority of British people in this country, and received with understand- ing, or at least with indifference, in much of the world, they are likely to arouse suspicion or hostility in some places. Likely reaction in these are described below. The numbers and world-wide distribution of United Kingdom nationals are in- dicated in the table at the end.

2. Dependent Territories

a. Hong Kong

Any change could lead to pressure for an assurance that in the last resort HMG would provide a haven for Hong Kong belongers wanting to leave the Colony in the event of a Chinese takeover. Such an assurance is surely out of the question; but its absence could seriously affect the delicate balance of confidence on which the present tranquility and economic self- sufficiency of the Colony depend. More than two million CUKCs are involved and major issues of con--- fidence are latent in the situation due to the formal

termination of the lease of the New Territories in

1997.

1

We consulted the Governor of Hong Kong on the effect of the proposed changes. The Acting Governor replied that from Hong Kong's point of view any change of nationality law would be worse than no change. The changes proposed would be subject to attack by local ill-wishers, who would assert that they relegated Hong Kong Chinese to a second-class group. Hong Kong CUKCS have at present no right of migration to the United Kingdom, but the emotional reaction to the changes would be much sharper than would be justified by the facts. The Acting Governor said that there was a widespread belief in business and professional

1

/cireles