TNAG-1259-FCO40-1599-The-Future-of-Hong-Kong---special-study-by-FCO--August-1982--1983 — Page 51

SECRET

+

Though a logical approach to a new situation,

it would probably be regarded in Hong Kong as

inferior to BDTC status.

(6)

A local

Local Hong Kong Citizenship.

citizenship could be created and guaranteed by

the local constitution. Although the UK might

still protect Hong Kong citizens internationally

as caretaker, it might be possible to distinguish

them from persons who were British nationals by

virtue of possessing a citizenship created by the

British Nationality Act 1981. But it would

probably be resisted by the Chinese as smacking

too much of independence. It would however be unlikely to have any attractions for people in Hong Kong since it would be seen as weakening

the effectiveness of the British link.

(7)

Chinese Citizenship. The Chinese might well

take the view that the retention of any form of British citizenship was incompatible with British recognition of Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong, and demand that Hong Kong Chinese without the right

of abode in another country should become Chinese

citizens for all purposes. Although there are numerous precedents for depriving inhabitants of newly independent territories of their British citizenship, Hong Kong would be in a different position if British administration continued. The ending of British citizenship would also be likely to damage confidence so severely that it could lead to widespread demands from BDTCs for admission to the UK, even though they had no

right of abode in this country. It could therefore have serious immigration implications.

(8) Dual Citizenship.

Since the Chinese

/Government

- 5

SECRET