TNAG-1382-FCO40-1830-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 7

L

3

The British Government will be discussing with the Chinese authorities the wording of the statement

be included in

British National (Overseas)

British Government's

aim will be to ensure that an individual need make

use only of his passport, without having to produce his identity card at the same time, to satisfy immigration officials of third countries that he has the right of abode in Hong Kong.

passports. In doing so, the

6

At the same time, the British Government have undertaken publicly and repeatedly that they will make every effort to explain the arrangements regarding the issue and use of EN(0) passports to third countries. This will be done after the

on

nationality, which

is

Kong

Kong Bill, has been passport is issued.

made

And

Order-in-Council foreshadowed in the Hong and before the first EN (0)

the aim will be to ensure that future EN (0)

passports are taken to be the equivalent of existing EDTC passports for the purposes of visa abolition

arrangements.

Given that there will be a clear indication as regards right of abode, there ought to

be no reason for third countries to treat EN (0) passport holders differently from existing BDTC

passport holders (who are, of course, the same people).

7

Mrs Chow has commented on the timing of the introduction of the EN(0) passport. No decision has yet been taken on

is that, under the

on this. The only requirement

terms of the UK Memorandum

associated with the Sino- British Joint Declaration,

BN (0)

passports

must

be

issued by 30