TNAG-1568-FCO40-2134-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 190

Miss Weal

$ Neale

CONFIDENTIAL

Reference.....

RECEIVE

HKK 340/1

27 AUG 1986

INDE-

Thalli

you.

Mizure

anended to include this,

f.

INTERNATIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF BN (0) PASSPORTS

1. I agree with your comments

Telno 2002

2.

The less said about BOCS the better, other than in the purely Hong Kong context of non-Chinese BDTCs who will become BOCS after 1 July 1997. Comparison of BN (O) with BOC status will not only draw attention to the fact that BOCS have no right of abode anywhere (except for the Hong Kong variety) but also to the fact that there will be 2 classes of BOCs from 1 July 1997; those who

We should avoid can transmit the status and those who cannot. encouraging a "BOC backlash".

Telno 2003

3.

Para C(B): para 6 of Annex (FCO Telno 1051). The wording gives the impression that all consular services will not be available to BN(0)s in China if they are also Chinese nationals. Perhaps it would be more accurate for the passage in brackets to read "(although not to consular protection in the People's Republic of China if he is a Chinese national or in any other country of which he is regarded as a national)".

4.

BN(0)s without right of abode in Hong Kong SAR present the biggest problem. Possible ways round it might be:

(a)

for Hong Kong to issue non-permanent ID cards to non-resident belongers. Holders would still enjoy right of abode in Hong Kong before 1 July 1997 and a permanent ID card could be issued if the holder took up residence in Hong Kong. Until he obtained a permanent ID card, the right of abode endorsement would be omitted from the BN(0) passport.

Drawbacks: the lack of the endorsement in the passport would wrongly imply that the holder did not have right of abode in Hong Kong. This arrangement would have to cover all non-resident BDTC's, thus taking in many (ie ethnic Chinese) who would have right of abode in Hong Kong SAR.

(b) for Hong Kong not to issue ID cards at all to BN(0)s or BDTCs

Who would not enjoy right of abode in Hong Kong SAR. Hence, no right of abode endorsement in passport.

Drawbacks: This would also make it appear that the holder had no right of abode in Hong Kong.

ODE 18-77

NO Ltd. 7/84

CONFIDENTIAL

/ (c)