TNAG-1568-FCO40-2134-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 27

- pompA, BEING DEVEN SPRING PENSIONS CANAANDIS

CONFIDENTIAL

Baro) Campaign

Nationality and Treaty Department Foreign and Commonwealth Office Clive House, London SW1H 9HD

23 September 1986

GNP 343/

JCK 346%

RECEIVED INA

- 7 APR 1987

INDE

P

Action Taken

Mek 7/4

Dear Ambassador/High Commissioner/Head of Interests Section

HONG KONG: BRITISH NATIONALS (OVERSEAS): FACILITATING TRAVEL TO THIRD COUNTRIES

Introduction of New Nationality Status

1. The Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 was made on

Under the 5 June 1986 and will come into effect on 1 July 1987. Order, British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTCS) who derive their citizenship from a connection with Hong Kong will cease to be BDTCS from 1 July 1997. In addition, one of the main provisions of the Order is to create a new category of British This nationality, namely British National (Overseas) (BN(0)). new status may be acquired between 1 July 1987 and 30 June 1997 (or before the end of 1997 by persons born in that year before 1 July) by BDTCs who derive their citizenship from a connection with Hong Kong. The status of BN(0), which may be retained for life, will carry the same rights as those currently held by Hong Kong BDTCS except that it will not be transmissible to future generations.

Explanation to Other Governments

2. A Note will be sent on 30 September to all Diplomatic Missions in London briefly explaining the main provisions of the Order and asking them to inform their authorities. A copy of the Note is enclosed. Our aim is to obtain international recognition of the new BN (O) status so that BN (O)s using passports describing them as such enjoy the same facilities as regards ease of travel and entry into third countries as are currently enjoyed by Hong Kong BDTCs.

3.

To supplement the Note sent to Missions in London I should be grateful if you would take an early opportunity to call on officials of your host government(s) at an appropriately high level to deliver a Note in similar terms and to explain the new status in more detail. You may draw freely on the information

You may hand over a contained in the Annex to this letter. piece of paper based on that information.

Returnability

4.

When speaking to officials you should emphasise in particular that BN (0)s will travel on normal British passports and will enjoy the same rights as are enjoyed by holders of BDTC passports. Please also explain that BN (0)s will have exactly

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CONFIDENTIAL