TNAG-1569-FCO40-2135-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 34

AIDE MEMOIRE

Sk

Next year there will come into existence a new category of British national, the British National (Overseas) BN (0). The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have given the Royal Swedish Embassy in London a Note explaining the new

arrangements. The Annex to this Aide Memoire contains further detail,

particularly on the aspect of travel to third countries.

This is for all practical purposes a change in nomenclature only, made

necessary by the change in sovereignty that will occur in 1997. BN (0)s will

travel on normal British passports and enjoy the same rights as holders of the

present British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTC) passports. They will

have exactly the same returnability to Hong Kong, both before and after 1997;

this has been agreed by the Chinese Government. (There may be a tiny number

of BN (0)s who will not, after 1997, have the right of abode in Hong Kong but

the provisions of the Joint Declaration ensure that these will all have the right of abode elsewhere.) Since first-time BN (0) passports can only be obtained before 1 July 1997, there will be no question of mainland Chinese

residents entering Hong Kong after that date in order to acquire such

passports. There will in any case be control of movement across the border

between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the rest of China. We

believe, therefore, that there should be absolutely no difficulty for Sweden and the other Nordic countries in accepting the new passports. If, nevertheless, there are any doubts on this score, or if further information is

needed, I and my staff will be happy to help.

Successful introduction of the new passports is a matter of great interest to British public and Parliamentary opinion. I have been instructed to express

the hope and expectation of Her Majesty's Government that the immigration authorities in Sweden will afford the same facilities for access and travel by

BN (0)s as are currently available for Hong Kong BDTCS. I should be grateful if, after due consideration, the Ministry could confirm to me that this will

be the case.

More generally, the Joint Declaration at the end of 1984 received a wide welcome throughout the international community. Many foreign Governments

expressed their support for the Joint Declaration and what it seeks to achieve. Successful implementation will depend very much upon continuing