TNAG-1632-FCO40-2248-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-1987 — Page 64

New "Right of Abode" Legislation

8.

Necessary to introduce term into HK law, so that right of abode endorsements may be entered in BN (0) passports and Certificates of Identity from 1 July as agreed with Chinese

Government.

9.

Introduction has not diminished in any way existing rights of any group resident in Hong Kong. Principles underlying legislative changes fully agreed with Chinese Government.

10.

But

After 1997 right of abode will be accorded as set out in Joint Declaration. Further changes to Hong Kong laws needed to bring fully into line with Joint Declaration at that stage. no-one with right of abode before 1997 will lose it unless they have severed their links with Hong Kong and settled elsewhere. Declaration quite clear on this.

Joint

Ethnic Minority BDTCS

11.

I said in House of Lords on 16 May 1986 that HMG "should 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 British national who, against all our present expectations, came under pressure to leave Hong

Kong".

12.

13.

Reaffirm absolutely my earlier statement.

Believe Joint

But do not expect such a situation to arise. Declaration provides necessary assurances to enable all inhabitants of Hong Kong to plan confidently for future here.