TNAG-1568-FCO40-2134-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 159

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FOLLOWING IS TEXT OF DRAFT NOTE TO MISSIONS IN LONDON.

HER MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN

AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS PRESENTS HIS COMPLIMENTS TO THEIR

EXCELLENCIES AND MESSIEURS THE HEADS OF DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS IN LONDON AND HAS THE HONOUR TO INFORM THEM THAT THE HONG KONG (BRITISH NATIONALITY) ORDER 1986, MADE ON 5 JUNE 1986 UNDER THE HONG KONG ACT 1985, WILL COME INTO OPERATION ON 1 JULY 1987.

THE HONG KONG ACT 1985 MADE PROVISION FOR THE ENDING OF BRITISH SOVEREIGNTY AND JURISDICTION OVER HONG KONG AS FROM 1 JULY 1997, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE QUESTION OF HONG KONG. WITH EFFECT FROM 1 JULY 1997 HONG KONG WILL BECOME A SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF THE

PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA.

UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE 1986 ORDER, BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZENS WHO DERIVE THAT STATUS FROM A CONNECTION WITH HONG KONG WILL LOSE THAT STATUS FROM 1 JULY 1997. HOWEVER,

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