CONFIDENTIAL
NEW FORM OF NATIONALITY
WHY BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) CHOSEN AS TITLE?
5. Careful consideration has been given to
to the title of the new
form of British nationality. The Government believes that "British
National (Overseas)" best meets the needs of all parties concerned.
On the one hand it makes it clear that it i s a form of British
On the other it does not imply a continuing
constitutional link between Britain and Hong Kong after 1997.
Nationality.
BN (O) IS NOT AN EFFECTIVE NATIONALITY
6. Not So. Holders of BN (O) status will:
(a) Be British nationals.
(b) Have the right of abode in Hong Kong up to 1997, and thereafter
if they have made Hong Kong their permanent home.
(c)
(d)
(e)
Be able to travel on British passports.
Be eligible for registration as British citizens on the same
terms as BDTCs and other British nationals.
Be eligible for British consular protection in third countries,
we 11 as in the SAR itself if they are not Chinese
as
nationals.
HAVE YOU INFORMED THE CHINESE OF THE NEW NATIONALITY TITLE?
7. Yes. We informed them as a matter of courtesy. They have not
raised objection to it.
HOW DOES STATUS DIFFER FROM BDTC?
8. The benefits to be accorded to holders of the proposed BN (O)
status are still under detailed consideration and will of course be
subject to Parliamentary approval. But the Government intend that
they should be broadly the same as those enjoyed by BDTCs, except
for transmissibility.
[IF PRESSED]
Descendants of BDTCs may
certain circumstances.
acquire BDTC status by registration BN (O) may not be acquired after 1997.
in
CONFIDENTIAL
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