TNAG-1748-FCO40-2467-Visit-by-Sir-Geoffrey-Howe--Secretary-of-State-for-Foreign-a-1988 — Page 118

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holding, or eligible to hold, a Certificate of Identity. (In

practice these people already had what amounted in Hong Kong law to

the right of abode). This is a transitional measure, as the Joint

Declaration defines who will enjoy the right of abode in the SAR.

Further legislative changes will therefore be needed to ensure that

by 1997 Hong Kong law is consistent with the Joint Declaration. But

the practical consequences for Hong Kong residents will be minimal.

12. Also from 1 July 1987 the Hong Kong Government began isuing "permanent identity cards" to those Hong Kong residents who have the right of abode. The format of these is different from previous Hong Kong ID cards, by agreement with the Chinese, so that they may

remain valid after 1997. These cards reflect only the holder's

immigration status and have no bearing on his nationality. However, there has been a certain amount of disquiet in Hong Kong that the new cards somehow represent a loss of British nationality, and

criticism that the Hong Kong Government have adopted a racist policy. The Hong Kong Government have taken steps to try to ensure that there is no misunderstanding among the public about the nature

of the new card.

ETHNIC MINORITY BDTCs

13. During the progress of the Hong Kong (Nationality) Order in

Council through Parliament in 1986, the Indian BDTC community in Hong Kong, directly and with the support of LegCo, requested that

HMG should grant non-ethnic Chinese BDTCs British citizenship and therefore the right of abode in the United Kingdom. After careful deliberation this request was turned down. Ministers concluded

that proper arrangements on nationality and right of abode in Hong

Kong had been made by HMG and in the Joint Declaration. But certain assurances were given in Parliament: the wording is reproduced in

the Points to Make.

14.

These assurances have done something to reduce pressure from the ethnic minorities for British citizenship. But they have not

abandoned their demand.

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