TNAG-1991-FCO40-2831-Future-of-Hong-Kong-British-Nationality-(Hong-Kong)-Selectio-1990 — Page 109

- -- -- -- --འ -

CONFIDENTIAL

-4

機密

Hong Kong and subsequently the SAR Government, would not be able to renounce Chinese nationality. Full British citizen passports would in their cases be treated simply as travel documents, albeit granting a right of abode in the UK. It is however possible that in practice those who accepted such documents would jeopardise their career prospects and. in particular not be approved by the CPG as "principal officials", since their loyalty would be in doubt.

What would we like the Chinese attitude to be?

12.

In discussions with HMG, the HKG has sought assurances which would enable key people to continue to live and work in Hong Kong. Such assurances in practice comprise

three elements:

13.

freedom to leave Hong Kong after 1997;

consular protection in Hong Kong, and on the mainland; and

a right of abode as a guarantee of last resort

Freedom of travel is guaranteed to all Hong Kong residents by the Joint Declaration. But there is suspicion among many people in Hong Kong that this undertaking may be less than watertight in practice post 1997 for non-foreign nationals. From this point of view it is desirable that China should recognise those who obtain British citizen passports (assuming that the UK decides to give these) as foreign nationals. The same is true in the case of consular protection. The problem does not arise insofar as right of. ́ abode is concerned.

CONFIDENTIAL **