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to a full and
and to the Chinese that
genuine review in 1987, Hong Kong opinion on the proceeding cautiously in developing Hong Kong's existing
political system with full regard
instability and need for pre- and post-1997 systems to be compatible.
we are committed
which must take full account of
issues raised; but that we are
to
dangers of
NATIONALITY
with a British
The Order also makes
It provides for
The Order in Council made on 5 June 1986 under the
terms of the Hong Kong Act 1985 provides for persons who
are Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizens to
lose that status on 1 July 1997
1997 but to be entitled to
acquire before that date a new status, to be known as
British National (Overseas) together
passport recording that status. provision to guard against statelessness.
any British Dependent Territories citizens who lose that
status on 1 July 1997 automatically
become British
Overseas citizens if they have not acquired BN(0) status
and if they would otherwise be stateless. The children of
former Hong Kong BDTCs born on or after that date will also
be British Overseas citizens automatically at birth if
otherwise stateless. The grandchildren of former Hong Kong
BDTCS will be entitled to be registered as British Overseas
citizens if born stateless.
to
Ministers did not accede
not accede to this request of LegCo
that ethnic minority BDTCs should be granted British citizenship. They took the view that the provisions of the
Joint Declaration and the Order in Council met fully
fully the
concern of this community to have both а recognised
nationality status and a secure right of abode in Hong
Kong, where they want to continue to live.
Ministers have stated in Parliament that they would
consider it an obligation upon any future government to
treat with very considerable and particular sympathy the case for admission to the United Kingdom of any individual
However
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