TNAG-0660-FCO40-809-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1977 — Page 215

7447 1073840 101M 8/74 Cr.P.C. 839/3

NOTHING TO BE WRITTEN IN THIS MARGIN

CONFIDENTIAL

ANIMEX 1

EFFECTS ON BRITAIN'S INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

OF THE PUBLICATION OF HMG'S PROPOSALS ON NATIONALITY

LAW

1. 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 confidence are

latent in the situation due to the formal termin-

ation of the lease of the New Territories in 1997.

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 log attack by

local ill-wishers, who would assert that they relegated Hong Kong Chinese to a second-class group.

Normone than [Hong Kong CUKCs have at present no right of mig- a few thurrand

Hong Kong

Cukc" are

ration to the United Kingdom, but the emotional reaction to the changes would be much sharper than would be justified by the facts. The Acting,

likely to hand Governor said that there was a widespread belief in

the dighing

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ماس وكاسو

two U-K-

business and professional circles that Britain was

a possible haven for those Hong Kong Chinese who might want to leave if the territory reverted to

China. The feared that these groups, which are influential, would make a public issue of this if they were given a fright about it.

Iffe dur. Rowland! Duria to

dre wanderle Mas May 1976

oral, Dim

b. Gibraltar

The proposed change is an issue important and emotive enough to unite all parties against the propocals. It could provoke strong and intractable

1

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