TNAG-1561-FCO40-2125-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 202

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

but

to

the

nationals resident in a foreign country". The Hong Kong

Indians make no plea to general principle,

special circumstance of their case.

to

10.2A Baroness Young also referred to the fact that

British Nationality would be granted in the manner

identified in paragraph 5.2 and 5.3 hereof

three

generations of Hong Kong Indians; further that there is the

discretion in the Secretary of State for the Home Office

under Section 27 (1) of BNA to register any minor as a

British Overseas Citizen. Therafter, according to Baroness

Young "the Government believe the right course for those

who are permanently settled in what will then be a part of

China ultimately is for them to become Chinese nationals".

10.2B

It is, however, by no means clear that, even if

they So desired, Hong Kong Indians could acquire Chinese

nationality.

The relevant position of Chinese Nationality

Law is Article 7 which provides (so far as is

material)

"aliens or stateless persons who are willing to abide by

China's constitution and laws may acquire Chinese

nationality upon approval of their applications provided

that:

other

(2) they have settled in China, or (3) they have

legitimate reasons (see also Article 14). It will

therefore be a matter for the discretion of the Government

of the PRC as to

Chinese nationality:

described

whether Hong Kong Indians can acquire

Chinese "compatriots" as they are

in the Chinese Memorandum will acquire it

automatically.

10.2C

Notwithstanding the prolonged period

negotiations it appears that HMG have not procured the

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of

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