10
CONFIDENT IA]
HKC340/1
12 FEB 1990
RECEIVED IN EGISTRY
DESK OFFICER
REGISTRY
PA
Action Taken
PRIME MINSTER'S QUESTIONS, 18 JANUARY
HONG KONG: CHINESE COMMENTS ON THE NATIONALITY PACKAGE
Points to Make
Does
What we are discussing are merely remarks by a Chinese official in response to questions by the press at a meeting in Canton. not represent a formal statement of the Chinese position.
Do not accept that Lu Ping's remarks will in any sense undermine our assurances scheme. Purpose of this scheme is to give people the confidence to remain in Hong Kong. In order to achieve this
effect, the key points are:
Firstly that they will have the ability to leave the territory at any time and to come and go freely after 1997. The Joint Declaration and the Basic Law are quite clear about
this.
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Secondly if they did want to come to this country, they would be able to come here and settle. With full British passports
they would be able to do this.
Those who are granted full British citizenship will enjoy all the benefits that this status confers. This includes British Consular
protection all over the world.
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It was always been clear from the Joint Declaration that certain top posts in the SAR would be reserved for Chinese nationals and we accepted this. Always clear that people who were ambitious and who wished to serve in top jobs would have to make a decision whether to
seek foreign nationality.
W INAAY
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