TNAG-1568-FCO40-2134-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 70

RETURNABILITY TO HONG KONG

10.

The British Government have agreed with the Chinese Government that the

passports of BN(0)s will be endorsed as follows:

'The holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity

-

which states that the holder has the right of

card number

abode in Hong Kong'.

This endorsement will guarantee the holders' returnability to Hong Kong, both before and after 1 July 1997. BN (0)s will in fact have exactly the same

returnability to Hong Kong as BDTCs from the territory. It has been agreed

between the British and Chinese Governments that the permanent identity cards

referred to in this endorsement issued by the Hong Kong Government up to

30 June 1997 will continue to be used after that date until replaced by

permanent ID cards issued by the SAR Government and that such replacements

will bear the same number.

NUMBERS

11.

There are currently about 3 1/4 million Hong Kong BDTCs of whom just

over one million hold passports in that status. All Hong Kong BDTCs will be

entitled to acquire BN(0) status and the passport which goes with it but it is

impossible to estimate how many will apply.

British Embassy

Stockholm

August 1986