TNAG-1751-FCO40-2471-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 49

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British citizenship for ethnic minorities

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There are about 11,500 ethnic minority BDTCS in Hong Kong, who have no other nationality, and about 60,000 who could apply for BDTC status. Government do not think it would be right to create such a large and uncertain immigration commitment after 1997.

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We have fully met undertakings we gave during passage of Hong Kong Act, that no former BDTC nor any children born after 30 June 1997 to such a person, would become stateless as a result of Joint Declaration. Also extended to cover grandchildren of former Hong

Kong BDTCs if they were born stateless.

All Hong Kong BDTCs are entitled to apply for BN (0) status and to retain it for life. Any Hong Kong BDTC who, for whatever reason, did not exercise his right to become a British National (Overseas) and as a result risked becoming stateless, would automatically become a British Overseas Citizen on 1 July 1997.

Since making of Hong Kong Nationality Order in Council in 1986, right of abode in Hong Kong has been enshrined in Hong Kong law. Have reached agreement with Chinese Government that the law's provisions will continue after 1997. All non-ethnic Chinese BDTCS in Hong Kong will thus retain right of abode in Hong Kong after 1997, unless they have left Hong Kong permanently to settle elsewhere and have right of abode somewhere else.

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Have therefore provided a recognised nationality status so that there is no risk of statelessness; the continued right to live in Hong Kong. This is what I understand the ethnic minorities are seeking. British citizenship would not help towards this.

Recognise there is some continuing concern among ethnic minority BDTCS in Hong Kong. That is why I am happy to repeat our assurance that we should consider it an obligation upon any future government to treat with very considerable and particular sympathy the case for admission to UK of any individual British national who, against all our expectations, came under pressure to leave Hong Kong. This is a very clear assurance to the members of the minority community in Hong Kong.

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