TNAG-2160-FCO40-3080-Hong-Kong-nationality-package-Chinese-views-1990 — Page 63

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junder FOI exemption 27(1)

4. In a press interview on 16 January, Lu Ping said that the

scheme was inconsistent with China's Nationality Law (CNL) and China would make appropriate responses. He said that Hong Kong residents obtaining British citizenship because of the 1997 problem would still be regarded as Chinese nationals and cited the stipulation in

the CNL that applications for renunciation of nationality had to be

backed by "adequate reasons" (zhengdang liyou). Lu said that the

Chinese had not expected the scheme to involve the grant of British

citizenship. He added that persons covered by the scheme could stay in Hong Kong but would not be entitled to British consular

protection and would be subject to some political restrictions, such

as being debarred from becoming principal officials of the SAR.

5. According to Agence France Presse, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman (circa 8 February) criticised the British Government's

"erroneous practice" of changing the nationality of a portion of

Hong Kong residents and called on other countries not to do anything

which would jeopardise Hong Kong's prosperity and stability. (A Hong Kong paper had reported a similar statement by the Foreign Ministry on 4 February, but the British Embassy advised that no such

statement had been made at the Foreign Ministry's press conference

on that day.)

1.

Li Hou said (in Peking circa 25 March) that Hong Kong people who were granted UK passports under the nationality package could not enjoy consular protection in Hong Kong after 1997, and that

holders of these passports could not use the documents to enter or leave Hong Kong because China would not recognise that they were

foreign nationals.

8. Qian Qichen (at a press conference in Peking on 28 March) said he disagreed with those who believed that the nationality package

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