TNAG-1565-FCO40-2130-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 58

on which

to groups of people in Hong Kong. There are at present about 11,500 people

who in 1997 might seek to benefit from such a commitment. But there are at

least 60,000 others who are not ethnically Chinese who could at present apply

to become British Dependent Territories citizens. Of course we cannot say

how many might apply or would be granted citizenship, but the future commitment

is at least uncertain and certainly not negligible. Nor can it really be argued

that the commitment is less because it will never be taken up. The only

responsible basis to enter into a commitment is the understanding that it may

one day have to be met.

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14. We have therefore instead approached this problem with two firm principles

in our minds. First, no British Dependent Territories citizen should have

any reason at all to fear that they will become stateless in 1997. Neither

after 1997 should their children, nor their grandchildren. We recognize we

have a responsibility in this matter and we are ready fully to honour it.

So we have provided that all British Dependent Territories citizens whatever

their ethnic origin should have the right to become British Nationals (Overseas)

before 1 July 1997, or before the end of 1997 if they were born in the first

6 months of that year. If for any reason someone does not apply to become

BN(0) and they have no other form of citizenship, then they will not be stateless. They will automatically be British Overseas citizens. Er wild dilber of thear Kuta Slaterede (24 and Antive Oversen citizen, forn a 1 Jul 1997.

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15. Our second principle is that we should do all we can to ensure that people

will settled in Hong Kong can continue to have the right of abode there. No form

of British nationality can guarantee this after 1997, neither British citizenshi

nor British Overseas citizenship. It can only be secured by the agreement

with the Chinese which makes just such a provision. The agreement specifically

owan guarantees rights of abode in Hong Kong for all, non-ethnic Chinese who have

The agreement also provides that

will made it their place of permanent residence, ^ These provisions are to be written into a basic law (governing the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. It secures the future of the non-ethnic Chinese community in Hong Kong, will the refre be secured as a matter of law,

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16.

We recognize that people are concerned about what might be the position

of their great grandchildren and of future generations. Under the provisions of the British Nationality Act 1981, neither British citizenship nor British Overseas citizenship can be transferred to more than two generations born out

of this country. Of course we cannot sensibly speculate about what may be

the position in the middle of the 21st century, but our present view is that by then it would be right for those who will have been living in this area

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