TNAG-1384-FCO40-1832-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 48

CONFIDENTIAL

The Chinese Government in their Memorandum state that all Hong Kong

Chinese compatriots, whether they are holders of the British Dependent Territories citizen (BDTC) passport or not, are Chinese

nationals. But taking account of the historical background of Hong

Kong and its realities, the competent authorities of the Chinese Government will, from 1 July 1997, permit Chinese nationals in Hong

Kong who were previously BDTCs to use travel documents issued by the

United Kingdom Government for the purpose of travelling to other

states and regions.

5.

четат

in accordance with the terms of the United Kingdom Memorandum,

the new nationality status will not be transmissible to any

subsequent generations and only those people who are already BDTCs

by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong on 30 June 1997 may acquire

In addition the status in question will be held only by those up to people who before 1 July 1997 (or)31 December 1997 if born in the first six months of that year) will have acquired or who are

included in a passport appropriate to that status.

it.

6.

The Hong Kong Act sets out the framework within which the Order

in Council will fit. It allows for provision to be made by Order in

Council whereby BDT citizenship cannot be retained or acquired on or

after 1 July 1997 by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong, and

whereby BDTCs by virtue of any such connection may before that date

про (or before 31 December 1997 for persons born in the first six months of that year) acquire a new form of British nationality. The

holders of the new nationality will be known as British Nationals

(Overseas) (BN(0)). The Act also provides that such an Order may,

inter alia:

or

provide that the new status may be held on of after

1 July 1997 only by people who are BDTCs on

30 June 1997.

make provision for the avoidance of statelessness; and