TNAG-1387-FCO40-1835-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1986 — Page 102

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DRAFT SPEECH BY HON MRS SELINA CHOW, OBE, JP

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL - 4.12.85

The White Paper on the Draft Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986

Sir,

When I spoke last in this Council on the BN (0) issue in February this year, I called for clear endorsement on all BN (0) passports stating categorically the right of abode in Hong Kong enjoyed by holders so as to facilitate the acceptance of the document by third countries.

Today, we learnt that the U.K. and China had agreed in the last round of talks at the Joint Liaison Group that the endorsement on the BN (0) passports will read :-

"The holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity card No. XYZ which states that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong.

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In

This differs from the existing endorsement in BDTC passports, "The holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong". my view, the mention of the permanent Hong Kong identity card, instead of the existing direct statement that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong, may lead to unnecessary suspicion of immigration officials in third countries.

There may be two stages to the problem.

Before 1st July 1997, there are British passports

The

issued by the U.K. and Hong Kong endorsed with the right of abode in Hong Kong. There are also British passports issued by the U.K. and Hong Kong endorsed with the right to land. introduction of the BN (0) passports into circulation with yet another wording of endorsement will only add to the confusion that already exist, and present more likelihood of questions by

immigration officials elsewhere.

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