TNAG-2185-FCO40-3122-Ethnic-minorities-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 105

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From:

J S Page

Hong Kong Bill Unit

24 May 1990

CC

Mr Morris

Mrs Grimsey Mr Harrington

Mr Kavanagh

Mr Seymour Miss Griffith Mr J Morris, FCO

Ms Spencer

ENDORSEMENTS IN BOC PASSPORTS

Mr Lloyd has been exercised by the difference between BN (0) and

BOC status and he wondered whether those BDTC non-Chinese ethnic

minorities who, being stateless after 1997 would be eligible for

BOC status, could have a similar endorsement in their BOC

passports to the one which appears in BN (0) passports stating

that the holder has a permanent identify card confirming the

right of abode in Hong Kong. You asked for advice.

2.

There would appear to be no technical difficulty about this

as far as

the Joint Declaration is concerned. However, B3

Division, who are responsible for policy relating to the millions

of BOCs, or potential BOCs, worldwide are concerned about the

precedent which would be set by entering in a BOC passport

confirmation of the fact that a right of abode was enjoyed in the

country of residence (even though, in the case of Hong Kong after

1997, this would be an entitlement stemming from the Joint

Declaration). Successive governments have been reluctant to do

anything which formalises whether, and where, BOCS may have a

right of abode.

3. It is, of course, the case that any current BDTC in Hong Kong

who wishes to have his or her right of abode there acknowledged

in documents issued after 1997 is able to apply now for a BN

BN (0)

passport. But the attractiveness of BOC status is that it can

be passed on to generations after 1997 whereas BN (0) status

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