9.2
cultural
The Hong Kong Indians do not
have the racial and
affinity which the Hong Kong Chinese enjoy with
those who will constitute their future government.
9.3
The nationality law of the PRC discriminates on
racial grounds in that Chinese nationality is guaranteed to
the Hong Kong Chinese compatriots only. Further, in
contradistinction
the ethnic Chinese, the Hong Kong
to
Indians' right of abode in Hong Kong after the Transfer
Date will not derive from their nationality.
9.4
It is not unreal to suggest that, especially in
areas such as public administration, Hong Kong Indians will
be disadvantaged after the Transfer Date in comparison with
ethnic Chinese.
9.5
The Hong Kong Indians constitute about 6,000
persons: they are for the most part successful members of
the business community; they have a long and loyal history
of service to the Crown both in peace time and in war time.
10.
HMG have put forward a number of reasons as to why
the foregoing matters set out in paragraphs 6 to 9.5 hereof
do not justify the grant of British citizenship and the
right of abode to Hong Kong Indians.
These reasons, which
can be derived from the speech of Baroness Young, Minister
of
State for Foreign Affairs,
speaking in the House of
Lords on the Hong Kong Bill on the 14th March 1985, are
considered below.
10.1
Baroness Young said "it would not be proper as a
general principle to grant British nationality indefinitely
and without restrictions to the descendants of British
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