TNAG-1570-FCO40-2136-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 114

scheme than that

of

onto deaf ears.

having to discard the Chinese costume and quene.

63 This petition fell

The passive British attitude

towards protection was so obvious that it had convinced an authoritive

scholar to make the following concluding remark: "In case a British

subject has a second nationality, the nationality of either of the two

countries of which he is considered a subject is to be considered the

predominant nationality when he is residing in that country,

not be protected against the authorities of that country. In cases

application for protection is made to a consular officer by a

British subject, the former may require from the latter evidence showing

that he is not subject to the law of the country in which he is residing

before granting the desired protection.

where

"

,64

and he may

The British position of not providing protection for Chinese

subjects who had no intention of maintaining Chinese nationality and

were residing in China, led most observers, and even some high-ranking

Ching officers, to consider this as cooperative and understanding.

Yet, the Ching regime did not share this attitude, and had not

waived its right of protection, like the British, or even the right to

rule, whether they wre convereted British subjects or Chinese nationals,

whether they resided in China or in British territories. This fact was

demonstrated in various ways with various forms. The most obvious one

was to issue the "certificate of compatriot", similar to those issued to

to Chinese who visited China. Even

Hong Kong compatriots by the PRC,

British subjects were no exception.

conflict between Huang Tsui-hsien,

This conduct had been an issue of

an Ching Consul-General,

and the

65

Even after many

British Colonial Authorities in the Strait colonies.

years of protest by various parties concerned, the Ching regime never

seemed to comletely given up. Another method of showing its intention

to rule and to protect, was through her diplomatic stations in England.

25