TNAG-1557-FCO40-2121-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 127

go, far

16. The non-ethnic Chinese community in Hong Kong, supported by the Unofficial

have argued Members of the Executive and Legislative Councils (UNELO)/ that the nationality

and right, of abode provisions do not enough. They say that unlike

(who can expect to be recognized by the Chinese authorities as Chinese nationals) ethnic Chinese BDTCs/they will not have a right of abode in Hong Kong by

virtue of their nationality. And they are concerned about the nationality status of their descendants after the second generation born after 1997. They therefore asked to be granted British citizenship, which carries with

it the right of abode in the United Kingdom, rather than BN (0) or BOC

status.

17.

I have to tell your Lordships that the Government is not persuaded that it would be right to grant this request. British citizenship cannot

give

the right of abode in Hong Kong. The for non-ethnic Chinese people continued right to live and work there is guaranteed by the Agreement.

the granting of British citizenship Nor would/ be of any advantage to future generations. In line with

a

fundamental principle of our nationality law for many years, British citizenship can be transmitted to only one generation born abroad. Under the British Nationality Act 1981 the second generation born abroad has

an entitlement to registration as British citizens if certain ancestral

conditions are met, which are similar to the proposed entitlement to

registration as BOCs. The third and subsequent generations born abroad

have no claim to British citizenship, nor, generally any entitlement to

registration.

18. There is therefore no benefit to be gained by third and subsequent

generations born after 1997 by conferring British citizenship on non-ethnic

Instead Chinese BDTCs in Hong Kong. the Government's proposals, together with the Agreement, will provide all Hong Kong BDTCs with a recognised nationality

status and a place to call their home. They provide non-ethnic Chinese

BDTCs in Hong Kong with a form of British nationality until well into

And the middle of the next century. Tas Ministers made clear during the debate

on the Hong Kong Bill, the Government's view is that the right course

for those who have permanently settled in what will by then have been

part of China for many years is for them to apply to become Chinese nationals, although they will not, of course, be compelled to do so. We have discussed this with the Chinese Government in the Sino-British Joint Liaison group,

and they have confirmed that Chinese nationality laws allow stateless

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