TNAG-0980-FCO40-1199-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-British-nationality-1980 — Page 235

UNCLASSIFIED

Mr Fursland, FED

(K 255)

STATUS OF HONG KONG RESIDENTS

HKK340

31

RECEIVED 25 RIGHTLY NO. 51 25 JUN 1980

DESK OFFICER INDEX

PA RJMR

No 27.

REGISTRY Acriss Taken

1. We discussed yesterday the possible implications for Hong Kong of a consular agreement with China. To try and help. clarify the situation, you may like to have a description of the status of residents in Hong Kong:

(a) Hong Kong belongers, that is:

(i) a British subject born in Hong Kong;

(ii) a British subject by naturalisation in Hong Kong; (iii) a British subject by registration in Hong Kong;

(iv) a British subject married to, or the child of, a person covered by (i), (ii) or (iii) above.

(b) Resident UK belongers, that is:

and

(i) a Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue

of birth, adoption, naturalisation or registration in the United Kingdom who has at any time been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for at least seven years;

(ii) the wife and children of a person covered by (b)(i).

(c) Chinese resident: this is a person who is wholly or partly of Chinese race and who has at any time been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong for at least seven years.

(d) Persons on limited stay: that is almost entirely legal and

illegal immigrants who have been allowed to stay in Hong Kong but who have not yet qualified under (c).

2.

3.

Travel documents used:

(a) and (b) are British subjects and entitled to British passports. (a) have UK issued British passports and (b) have Hong Kong issued British passports;

(c) are generally stateless but travel on a Certificate of Identity issued by the Hong Kong Government;

(d) are also generally stateless and travel on a Declaration of Identity issued by a notary public.

The vast majority of the population come under (c) and (d).

25 June 1980

P J Williamson

Hong Kong and General Department K242

233 4439

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