TNAG-1618-FCO40-2226-Executive-Council-of-Hong-Kong-memoranda-and-minutes-of-meet-1987 — Page 183

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9.

(b)

(c)

"resident British citizens" : British citizens who have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 7 years; and

"resident United Kingdom belongers" : a small number of foreign nationals married to British citizens, and certain of their children, who had

.

at

any time ordinarily resided in Hong Kong for a continuous period of not less than 7 years.

The Immigration (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 1987 seeks to define the "right of abode in Hong Kong'

If to include the right to land and to remain in Hong Kong free of conditions of stay and to be free from removal or deportation. The right of abode in Hong Kong as defined will be accorded to a new category of persons to be called "Hong Kong permanent residents" comprising all persons who are at present defined as "Hong Kong belongers" or "Chinese residents". Bill also seeks to amend the deportation provisions in the existing Ordinance to remove "Chinese residents" from those who are deportable from Hong Kong.

10.

•

The

Subject to the enactment of the proposed legislation, about 5 million Hong Kong residents will become "Hong Kong permanent residents" and will enjoy the right of abode in Hong Kong. They will be eligible for a Hong Kong permanent identity card stating their right of abode in Hong Kong from 1 July 1987 and their BN(0) passports or C of Is issued from that date will contain a right of abode endorsement.

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"Resident British citizens" and "resident United Kingdom belongers" will not be accorded the right of abode in Hong Kong under the proposed legislation. But they will continue to enjoy the right to land in Hong Kong.

Issue of permanent identity cards stating the holders' right of abode

12.

Under the existing Registration of Persons Ordinance, a Hong Kong identity card is only a proof of identity. The new identity cards. to be issued from 1 July 1987 will in addition reflect the immigration status of the holder, that is whether or not he has the right of abode in Hong Kong.

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