TNAG-1082-FCO40-1332-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1981 — Page 56

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13.

Hong Kong have indicated that if separate citizenship

which is much the most

title would be eg 'CBDT of Hong Kong'

likely title

would wish it to be made clear at outset that Hong Kong would

not seek to make use of it. Peking have also advocated that PRC

should be told in confidence why contingency provision was being

made with explanation that Hong Kong would not make use of it.

Both these safeguards should be possible.

they would not oppose enabling provisions but

EC COMMON FORMAT PASSPORTS

14.

May be some concern as a result of EC proposals for common

format passports for member states. Strong tendency in Hong Kong

to link passports with immigration and nationality matters.

15.

Whilst the decision between EC Foreign Ministers on imple-

mentation cannot be far off, actual implementation is. UK's position

Until

is to resist adoption of common format with introduction of standardised

format for personal data which could be machine read. Unlikely to be

before 1985. Will take several years thereafter to implement in

full.

Moreover, Hong Kong like other Dependent Territories

will be at liberty to adopt a format similar to that of EC common

format passports. A new Hong Kong passport would therefore differ from

the UK version of the common format passport in only two respects:

a) words 'European Community' would not appear on front cover;

and b) certain Community features such as the use of other community

languages, would be omitted from the inside pages.

Hong Kong and General Department

March 1981

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