TNAG-1387-FCO40-1835-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1986 — Page 41

DEC 04 '85 19:43 GIS HK

P.5

Desmond Lee

5

Unless

BDTC passports; of these at least one third (or 2,000) have renounced Indian nationality in favour of British. They claim that they have done so in the belief that the British will not let them down. The Chinese nationality law will not automatically provide a nationality for these minorities. they apply for BN(0) status before 1997, their BDTC status will be changed to BOC (British Overseas Citizen) status on 1 July 1997. As the BN(0) and BOC have shortcomings as mentioned earlier, the Indian representations consider them as travel documents only, which do not carry effective nationality. this way the Indians are worried that they will become stateless by the transfer date of 1997.

come to Hong Kong to make money.

In

One may advance the argument that many Indians have

This observation may have been true originally and is indeed applicable to other people as well. The present Administration has maintained stability in Hong Kong, and people with enterprising spirit and commitment have come to establish their business and prosper. prosperity of this territory is built up through the intelligence

I am told that the Indian and industry of honest businessmen.

The

businessmen who have grown affluent have acquired property and are committed to this place. They are unlike speculatas who came for quick money and left after reaping

A

bonanza

The Indian community now controls T2% of the

import/export trade of Hong Kong, and there are some markets

(e.g. West Africa, Middle East) which only they, among Hong Kong

As the businessmen, have penetrated to a significant extent. minorities are making useful contributions to the prosperity of Hong Kong, I think their petition should deserve sympathetic consideration.

Sir, as I am a Member joining this Council through an elective process, I feel dutybound to represent the views of Hong