TNAG-1387-FCO40-1835-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-citizenship-1986 — Page 52

DEC 04 '85 19:52 GIS HK

Selina Chow

2

P.2

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

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. The introduction of the BN(0) passports into circulation with yet another wording of endorsement will only add to the confusion that already exist, and

another wording of events more likelihood-of questions by

as voiced by Mi Luce".

immigration officials elsewhere, not the heart which bindor be a demand

to see the 1.D. Rand. Wouldn't this defeat the aim wat fouth by the Butish Governad

After 1st July 1997 BN(0) passport holders may be faced with immigration authorities who may not be familiar with the details contained in the Sino-British Joint Declaration, in which case they may assume the unusual arrangement of nationals of one country needing identity cards issued by another to prove a right of abode might mean these holders either have difficulty or are reluctant to return.

I urge therefore in order to facilitate the ease of travel, and so as not to place BN(Q)s in a worse off position to BDTCS that Britain and China would agree to the administrative practice of putting a certificate of right of BN(0) passports before and after 1997.

abode with the

as advocated by the Lik. Jour Cannail from the Welfare of

Immigrants, fertigen↑

The BDTC passport requires no visa to enter about 70 countries. It is not at all sure whether the visa abolition

agreements applicable to BDTC passports will be equally valid for BN(0) passports. Unless and until Britain can assure Hong Kong by the successful conclusion of negotiation with at least the countries with which we presently have visa abolition agreements, the BN(0) passports will certainly be less attractive to BDTCS.