RESTRICTED
(a)
9.
Nationality and Passports
The Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order (1986) came into
effect on 1 July 1987 and with it the new status of British
National (Overseas).
Passports in the new status began to be issued
from that date.
10. An extensive diplomatic exercise to explain the new British
National (Overseas) status and passport to other governments was
begun in September 1986 and continued up to and beyond their
introduction on 1 July 1987. The response has been very
encouraging. Her Majesty's Government are confident that travellers
from Hong Kong using a BN (0) passport will find it as convenient as
a Hong Kong BDTC passport. Although the initial uptake of BN(0) passports has been slow, a significant number are now in use, and
their holders have encountered no practical problems. The Government
will make every effort to ensure that BN (0) passport holders enjoy
the same privileges as Hong Kong BDTC passport holders.
(e)
11.
Drafting of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Administrative
Region
Under paragraph 3(12) of the Joint Declaration, the policies
of the People's Republic of China regarding Hong Kong, which are set
out in paragraph 3 of the Joint Declaration, and the elaboration of
them in Annex I to the Joint Declaration, will be stipulated by the
National People's Congress in a Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China.
12. During the past year, the Basic Law Drafting Committee,
appointed by the National People's Congress, has met on three
occasions. In addition, meetings of the five special groups of the
Drafting Committee, which consider particular areas of the Basic
Law, have taken place throughout the year.
A first draft of the
Basic Law is due to be published in 1988. This will be followed by
an extensive period of public consultation in Hong Kong before the
promulgation of the Basic Law by the National People's Congress, currently expected in 1990.
RESTRICTED
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.