TNAG-1632-FCO40-2248-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong--including-visit-1987 — Page 94

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Immigration a matter for HKG alone.

(New "Right of Abode" Legislation)

6.

Necessary to introduce term into HK law, so that right of

abode endorsements may be entered in BN(O) passports and

Certificates of Identity from 1 July as agreed with Chinese

Government.

7.

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.

8.

Declaration

After 1997 right of abode will be accorded as set out in Joint

Further changes to Hong Kong laws needed to bring

fully into line with Joint Declaration at that stage. But no-one

with right of abode before 1997 will lose it unless they have

severed their links with Hong Kong and settled elsewhere. Joint

Declaration quite clear on this.

(Ethnic Minority BDTCs)

9.

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".

10.

Reaffirm absolutely my earlier statement.

11. But do not expect such a situation to arise. Believe Joint

Declaration provides necessary assurances to enable all inhabitants

of Hong Kong to plan confidently for future here.

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