CONFIDENTIAL
1997 to acquire a form of British nationality if they
would otherwise be stateless. We will be pursuing with
the Chinese Government at the second Joint Liaison Group
meeting in November the question of whether such people
and/or subsequent generations will be able to acquire
Chinese nationality.
15.
The Order does not deal with the question of
passports, which are a matter of prerogative and do not require legislation. We have however agreed with Hong
Kong a public line setting out Our proposals for the format and issue of BN (O) passports. We are discussing
with the Chinese the exact form of words for the
endorsement in these passports. Broadly it will state
that the holder possesses Hong Kong ID card number XYZ as
evidence of his right of abode in Hong Kong and (hopefully) the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
16.
1987.
It is proposed to start issuing BN(O) passports in
This is because, as
result of the 10 year
validity period for passports, it will no longer be
possible to is sue BDTC passports valid for the full
period from that date. The early commencement will also
give an opportunity to spread out the large passport
issuing load over a number of years. The government has undertak en to make a major international effort
effort to ensure
that BN (O) passports are accepted as travel documents
third countries.
in
CONFIDENTIAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.