TNAG-1568-FCO40-2134-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 119

ME2ANE(2)

Background

General

Nationality

CONFIDENTIAL

1.

Hong Kong people

there

are

in

were

concerned

and

a

At present,

the territory three

quarter million British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTC), nearly all of them ethnically Chinese. The question of nationality is a sensitive future one in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's During the negotiations on

not to lose their British

The Chinese nationality as a result of the transfer of sovereignty. Government regard all ethnic Chinese residents of Hong Kong, whether

not, or

Chinese nationality law does as Chinese nationals. not permit dual nationality. In an exchange of memoranda associated with the Joint Declaration it has been agreed between the British and Chinese Governments that BDTCs in Hong Kong may continue to use British passports after 1997, but not with BDTC status.

BDTCS

2.

An Order in Council to implement the UK Memorandum was made on cease to 5 June 1986. Under its provisions Hong Kong BDTCs will have BDTC status on 1 July 1997. They will, however, be able to acquire before that date a new nationality status known as British National (Overseas) (BN(0)). This status will carry rights similar

be transmissible will not it to those of

but BDTC status subsequent generations (a point which the Chinese were not prepared status of BN (0) will be issued to concede). Passports in the new

from 1 July 1987.

to

3.

The

most

sensitive

element

in these

arrangements

is the

position of 11,500 BDTCs in Hong Kong who are not ethnically Chinese (most are Indians). This group asked Her Majesty's Government to After careful consideration HMG grant them British citizenship.

(There was concluded it would not be right to grant this request.

and Home Office and FCO officials some tough bargaining between

and two between Mr Renton and Mr Waddington about this request,

Secretaries of State became involved,

others which

were met.

and

the matter went to OD(K).) The rationale for the decision was that British citizenship would not give the ethnic minorities the right