MTHAFE (6)
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6. British citizenship for Hong Kong Chinese
We are aware of concern expressed by British businessmen in Hong Kong that it is difficult to retain skilled Hong Kong Chinese managers, and have noted their suggestions that British citizenship should be offered to key personnel as an inducement to stay in Hong
Kong.
The concern about the difficulty of retaining skilled professionals is a valid one. It is a concern which we and the Hong
Kong Government share. But there are constraints placed on HMG by the requirements of the British Nationality Act 1981 in relation to the acquisition of British citizenship. British citizenship cannot
be offered as a reward, honour or inducement, whether to managers or
indeed to Hong Kong residents prepared to invest in the UK. That would be highly divisive in Hong Kong. Any Hong Kong resident can of course settle in Britain provided he satisfies the relevant immigration rules.
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