TNAG-1420-FCO40-1903-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-Sub-Committee-on-Race-Relations-and--1985 — Page 103

Arguments to Use

General

1.

Since

signing of Joint

Declaration

confidence

on

increase in Hong Kong; borne out by

by territory's economic

indicators (Hang Seng Index).

2. Next 12 years delicate. Hong Kong will require support

from friends.

BN(O) passports

3. An exchange of memoranda

on nationality associated with

Joint Declaration on Hong Kong. We are moving to implement

UK Memorandum through legislation. Under this British

Dependent Territories Citizens by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong will lose this status on 1 July 1997 but

will be able to

to acquire a new form of British nationality

and retain it for rest of their lives. This will be known

as British National (Overseas). BN (O) status the

BDTC, except not transmissible.

4.

same

as

We shall start to issue BN (O) passports from 1 July

1987. The holders of such passports will have the right to I and in Hong Kong in just the same way as those holding

now BDTC passports.

5.

is

Crucially important to confidence in Hong Kong and for success of agreement that

that freedom of travel, which is vital

to Hong Kong's continued economic prosperity,

anxiety in Hong Kong on this point.

that all Commonwealth

maintained.

Hope

continue to

passports.

countries

Great

much very

will

give free access to travellers with BN (0)

Will do much to help success of agreement,

which widely welcomed by Commonwealth countries.

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