TNAG-2178-FCO40-3115-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 82

As you know, in recognition of the particular concern

of the ethnic minorities in Hong Kong, the Government

have already taken steps to reassure them about their

position after 1997. We have made provision for the

children and grandchildren of former BDTCs born after

1997 to acquire British Overseas Citizenship if they

would otherwise be stateless. And we have also given

a specific assurance in Parliament that if, against all

expectations, the ethnic minorities came under pressure

to leave Hong Kong in the future, and had nowhere to go,

we would expect the government of the day to consider their case for admission here with considerable and

particular sympathy. We stand by that undertaking.

The Council have also expressed concern about the

absence of clear provisions on how non-Chinese people can prove that they have taken Hong Kong as their place of permanent residence. As you know, the Joint

Declaration makes explicit provision for non-Chinese

people to have right of abode in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and this is fully reflected in

Article 24(4) of the draft Basic Law. The Hong Kong

Government recognise that the Immigration Ordinance of

1987 will have to be further amended to bring Hong Kong

law completely into line with the draft Basic Law. The Hong Kong Government have indicated that they propose to introduce the necessary amending legislation as soon

as possible.

Best mines, Youn}

DOUGLAS HURD

· Hund.

Doyle