TNAG-2180-FCO40-3117-Hong-Kong-nationality-international-support-1990 — Page 13

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 admi ion 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

cernment recognise that the Immigration Ordinance of 937 will have to be further amended to bring Hong Kong The law completely into line with the draft Basic Law. Hong Kong Government have indicated that they propose to introduce the necessary amending legislation as soon

as possible.

Best mines,

DOUGLAS HURD

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