TNAG-1379-FCO40-1827-Future-of-Hong-Kong-legislation-Hong-Kong-Bill-1985 — Page 199

(b)

CONFIDENTIAL

i t

be

These people are identified with Hong Kong and

would

contrary to principles of the British Nationality Act 1981 to give them British citizenship. British citizenship is for those people who are identified with the UK.

(c)

No reason

to distrust Chinese intentions towards the non-ethnic

Chinese community, and no

reason to suppose pressure on them to

leave.

THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS IDENTIFIED

EMPIRE

33.

THEMSELVES WITH THE BRITISH

The same is essentially true of all British nationals,

including the populations of other dependent territories. Britain

is not abandoning them. They will

will be able to retain a form of

nationality for their lifetime, and to travel on British

British

passports.

CLAIMED PARALLEL WITH FALKLAND ISLANDS

34. Not appropriate to draw a parallel.

(Falkland

The British Nationality

citizenship on the

Islands) Act 1983 conferred British

Falkland Islanders because of their particular role in the South

Atlantic hostilities. Made clear during passage of the Act that

their situation was wholly exceptional, and that this did not

provide a precedent for

for other Denendent Territories. The majority

of the Falkland Islanders were already British citizens because they

were previously CUKC s with the right of abode in the UK through

their parents or grandparents.

PARALLEL WITH GIBRALTAR

35. Not appropriate to draw a parallel. British citizenship has not been conferred on Gibraltarians. People closely connected with

Gibraltar are BDTCs. They have an unconditional entitlement to registration as British citizens because they fall to be treated as UK nationals for European Community purposes.

EFFECT OF HONG KONG AGREEMENT ON THESE PEOPLE IS RACIST

These provisions apply to all people who are

36.

Definitely not.

BDTCs

and have

other no

nationality regardless

their of

ethnic

CONFIDENTIAL