TNAG-1565-FCO40-2130-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 43

MAY.02 '86 11:24 GMT HO 2 LUNAR HOUSE

P.06

19. This is not, of course, the occasion for a full debate on general political developments relating to Hong Kong. But there have been very positive developments which are relevant to our concerns today, The Joint Liaison Group through which the British and Chinese Governments are discussing the implementation of the Joint Declaration on Hong Kong meets in an excellent atmosphere and has already solid achievements to its credit. It has made arrangements to assure the maintenance after 1997 of Hong Kong's place in the world trading community: and to facilitate travel by Hong Kong people through, amongst other things, formal agreement to the right of abode endorsement to be placed in the BN (0) passport. These achievements are evidence of the determination of both parties to implement the Joint Declaration fully and faithfully, with the continued stability and prosperity of Hong Kong as their overriding objective. And they have been welcomed in Hong Kong, where confidence in the future is high.

20.

I have taken the time of the House in explaining our proposals for the British Dependent Territories citizens who are not ethnically Chinese since I recognize the importance which the House and which the people of Hong Kong attach to this issue. I wanted too to leave no-one in any doubt that while in the present circumstances we do not believe it is right or necessary to grant them British citizenship, we recognize and accept our responsibilities to all British Dependent Territories citizens in Hong Kong, and we believe these responsibilities have been fully and fairly met. We have made arrangements to ensure that no-one need fear statelessness and that they can continue to live in Hong Kong. And we are confident that any British Government will of course continue to ensure that their interests are reflected and their position taken carefully into account in the years ahead. We give this undertaking to those British Dependent Territories citizens who are not ethnically Chinese as we do to all British Nationals in Hong Kong.

21.

We have therefore listened very carefully to all the points put to us over a long period and we have moved to meet them with sympathy and generosity.

The

arrangements have benefited greatly from this consultation. They fully and faithfully meet our commitments to the people of Hong Kong and I commend them to the House. I invite the House to approve the Order.