TNAG-1379-FCO40-1827-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 193

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CONFIDENTIAL

HOW DOES STATUS DIFFER FROM BOC?

9. It is not intended that there should be any major differences

under UK law between holders of the proposed BN (O) status and the

existing BOC status.

[IF PRESSED]

Descendants

of BOCS

ma y

certain circumstances.

acquire BOC status by registration in

BN (O) may not be acquired after 1997.

WILL BN(O) PASSPORTS STATE RIGHT OF ABODE IN HONG KONG?

10.

Yes. A statement to this effect will be entered by HMG with

respect to the period before 1997. As laid down in Section XIV of

Annex I to the Joint Declaration, we shall after 1997 be able to

state that the holder of the passport holds a permanent SAR identity

card which is evidence of his right of abode in the SAR.

NEED TO CARRY SAR IDENTITY CARD AS WELL AS BN (O) PASSPORT?

11. The Government will be discussing with Chinese authorities the wording of a statement to be included in BN (O) passports. The aim

will be to ensure that an individual need make use only of his

passport, without also having to provide his identity card, to

satisfy immigration officials of third countries that he has the right of abode in Hong Kong.

INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION OF SAR AND NEW-STYLE PASSPORTS?

12. The Government have undertaken to make every effort to explain

arrangements to third countries.

This will be done between

for third countries

enactment of Order in Council and issue of BN (O) passports. Given

clear indication of right of abode, no

introduce new restrictions on entry of BN (O) passport holders.

reason

to

WILL NEW PASSPORTS BE ISSUED BEFORE 1997? WILL THEY RUN IN PARALLEL

WITH OLD PASSPORTS?

But will be issued well before 1997. At the

13. No decision yet.

same time, BDTC status will

period during which BDTC

concurrently.

rema in

and

up to 30 June

June 1997. Will be

BN (O) status will be held

CONFIDENTIAL