TNAG-1385-FCO40-1833-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1985 — Page 114

PM/85/84

PRIME MINISTER

HKD

CONFIDENTIAL

PS

423

r. Hill

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PS/Lcdy yang

PS/Fr Renton PS/PUS

Sir witlarding Dr Wilso

NTD

MVD

FED

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Hong Kong Nationality Order In Council

1. I confirm that I am content with the draft White Paper (422

containing the Hong Kong Nationality Order in Council circulated under cover of the Home Secretary's minute of 30 September. The

White Paper and Order were drawn up in consultation with FCO and

Hong Kong Government officials, and have been approved by the

Hong Kong Executive Council.

2. Although the issues involved were aired thoroughly during

the debate on the Hong Kong Bill we should not underestimate

the political sensitivity of nationality questions in Hong Kong

and we should allow ample time to debate these. We can expect

continued criticism both for our refusal to grant right of abode

in the UK to BDTCS, and for our failure to obtain Chinese

agreement to a transmissible form of nationality for BDTCs. Given however that EXCO has agreed to this Order I think that

opposition will be of manageable proportions.

3.

We will also need to be careful to bear Chinese

sensitivities in mind during the passage of the Order. The

negotiation of the Exchange of Memoranda on nationality

associated with the Joint Declaration was extremely difficult.

The Chinese will be watching carefully to see that we

implement it to the letter.

4. I am copying this minute to colleagues in OD(K), to

John Wakeham, Bertie Denham and to Sir Robert Armstrong.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

1 October 1985

CONFIDENTIAL

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(GEOFFREY HOWE)