CONFIDENTIAL
STATELESSNESS (IF REQUIRED)
11. My rt hon and learned Friend referred in his statement to the very small number of people, living in Hong Kong in 1997 or born there afterwards, who may not be considered to be Chinese nationals and who might be stateless if no provision was made for them.
In accordance with our international obligations to reduce statelessness we shall make provision in our legislation to ensure that these individuals will be able to retain a form of British nationality.
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THREAT OF IMMIGRATION
12. There are only an estimated 20,000 British citizens in Hong Kong. They have the right to enter and live in the UK. The 3 million or so British Dependent Territories citizens in Hong Kong do not have the right of abode in the UK and will not have it in 1997 if they acquire the new status for which they are eligible under the terms of the UK memorandum. Our efforts have been directed to achieving conditions under which people will not wish to leave Hong Kong. We believe that the agreement provides these conditions.
ACCEPTABILITY OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
13. According to Section XIV of Annex I to the Joint Declaration, residents of the SAR will be able to use travel documents issued by the SAR Government. They will record the holder's right to return to the SAR. The Chinese Government will assist or authorise the SAR
Government to conclude visa abolition agreements with states or regions. Those who are on 30 June 1997 BDTCs by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong will be eligible to retain a status which will enable them to use British passports after that date. These passports will make it clear that the holders have right of abode in
the SAR. HMG will do all we can to secure for the holders of these
passports the same access to other countries as
as that enjoyed at present by holders of BDTC passports. There is no
reason to believe that third countries will not recognise these passports.
CONFIDENTIAL
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