CONFIDENTIAL
restrictions on key posts may severely limit the numbers of suitable candidates, particularly in the case of ExCo, LegCo and
the two judges. In the last case, there is serious concern that in the early years of the SAR there will be any suitable candidates with the necessary judicial qualifications who are
Chinese nationals. However, we have generally accepted that the Chinese would wish to limit certain posts to Chinese nationals and
that we cannot claim that this is in contravention of the JD.
4.
Following Chinese complaints about "internationalisation" of Hong Kong and concern that Britain in some way wanted to extend its influence in the SAR through foreign nationals resident in the territory, the Chinese started to consider a provision in the Basic Law restricting membership of LegCo to Chinese nationals. Our view was that, while we could not say this was strictly in contravention of the JD, it was an extreme and unwelcome interpretation. It will also severely limit the number of suitable candidates for office. However, apart from press reports of comments by Chinese officials, there was no further indication of Chinese thinking.
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5. During a recent BLDC special group meeting in Canton, Chinese officials have made further comments on the UK nationality package and provisions on nationality requirements in the Basic Law. Hong Kong telno 215 reports that on 16 January the Deputy Secretary General of the Bic Law Drafting Committee, Lu Ping, was reported to have made the following comments on the UK Nationality Scheme:
(a) Those who had settled in Hong Kong and obtained British citizenship under the scheme would still be regarded as Chinese
nationals.
(b) Those covered by the scheme would be welcome to stay in Hong Kong but would not be entitled to British Consular protection.
(c) There would be some restriction in political participation by those covered by the scheme ie they could not become "top
CONFIDENT IAL
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.