TNAG-2158-FCO40-3078-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-Chinese-views-1990 — Page 80

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(c) A furthe. problem is that under their nationality law the concept of dual nationality is not recognised. They are unwilling to contemplate the prospect of thousands of Hong Kong people renouncing their Chinese citizenship.

(d) They are also reluctant to concede that Consular protection

could be given to recipients of British passports under the

package.

4. The main points that should be made to reassure the Chinese on

this are:-

5.

(i) the package is not aimed against China and will not

damage Chinese interests;

(ii) purpose of the scheme is to give people confidence to remain in Hong Kong and thereby maintain stability and prosperity as we are pledged to do by the Joint Declaration;

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(iii) all the indications are that the majority of people

leaving Hong Kong would remain if they had foreign passports.

Our scheme will help in this;

(iv) it has always been clear from the Joint Declaration that certain top posts in the future SAR of Hong Kong would be reserved for Chinese nationals. The British Government accepts

this and those who wish to reach these top posts will have to

reach a decision on whether to apply for British Citizenship.

Under Chinese Nationality Law it is possible for a Chinese national to renounce his citizenship and it may be possible for beneficiaries under the scheme to do this, thus making them mono-British nationals and at the same time resolving the Chinese legal problem on dual nationality. Chinese official attitudes on this are not yet completely clear to us.

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