TNAG-1565-FCO40-2130-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 59

so many for many years to be able to seek Chinese nationality. The Chinese Government

L

have confirmed that those who are not Chinese but who meet the legal

requirements may apply for Chinese nationality and that such cases would be

dealt with by the appropriate authorities.

Of course, we cannot expect the

Chinese any more than any other Government to give firm and blanket undertakings so far in advance, But we intend to explore this matter further

with the Chinese Government during the course of our continuing detailed

discussions with them.

&

17. There are those who argue that given the circumstances of Hong Kong it

would nevertheless be right to grant British citizenship with the right of

abode in this country to people who are not ethnically Chinese in case at any

time circumstances were to change and they had to leave. Of course we have

to make judgements now in the light of our understanding of the present

circumstances, and if circumstances were substantially to change there would

no doubt need to be a good deal of reconsideration and readjustment. But it

would not be sensible to go into the next 11 years planning for the worst,

and we have no reason at all to do so. We are confident of the agreement and

of the commitment of the parties to that agreement But I have already made clear, and I repeat again today, that if nevertheless any British National S

were at any time to come under pressure to leave Hong Kong, we would expect

the Government of the day to consider sympathetically their admission to the

United Kingdom on a case by case basis.

“ /

18.

I have taken the time of the House in explaining our proposals for the

British Dependent Territories citizens who are not ethnically Chinese since

aime

I recognize the importance which the House and which the people of Hong Kong attach to 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 responsibiliti‹

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.

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