TNAG-1618-FCO40-2226-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1987 — Page 182

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5.

The new forms of identity cards to be issued from 1 July 1987 are : a Hong Kong permanent identity card which states that its holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong for Hong Kong residents who will have that right and a Hong Kong identity card which does not state that its holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong for others who will not have that right.

6.

The term "right of abode" does not exist in the present Immigration Ordinance. Before permanent identity cards stating the holders' right of abode in Hong Kong can be issued so as to support the right of abode endorsement in travel documents, it is necessary to introduce this term into the

term into the Immigration Ordinance. It is also necessary to amend the Registation of Persons Ordinance to provide for the issue of new identity cards.

Definition of "right of abode in Hong Kong"

7.

The term "right of abode" is generally understood to

to include the right, to enter and remain in one's country and to be free from deportation. Although the term "right of abode" does not exist in the Immigration Ordinance at present, the concept of right of abode is there. Persons who are "Hong Kong belongers" as presently defined in the Immigration Ordinance (broadly speaking 3.25 million persons who are British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTCs) by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong and are entitled to hold a BN(0) passport) who enjoy the following rights and freedoms which give them the equivalent of right of abode -

(a)

the right to land in Hong Kong;

(b)

the right

right to remain in Hong Kong free of conditions of stay;

8.

(c) freedom from removal; and

(d) freedom from deportation.

Three other categories of people enjoy the first three rights and freedoms in Hong Kong but are deportable under limited specified circumstances. They are

-

(a)

"Chinese Chinese

residents"

: persons

than 7 years,

PAIE

of

not less

of

of

race who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period whom there are about 1.74 million. vast majority of them are travelling on a C of I;

The

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