TNAG-2185-FCO40-3122-Ethnic-minorities-in-Hong-Kong-1990 — Page 52

FCO40 Hong Kong Department Records 聯邦事務部香港部檔案 All

Honorary President

Dr Douglas Laing, F.R.C.S., F.A.C.S., J.P.

Honorary Vice Presidents

Dr S. V. Gittins, O.B.E.. QC. L.L.D.

Peter Hall, Esq., F.C.A.

Dr C. J. Symons, C.B.E., L.L.D.

General Committee

E.P. Ho, Esq., C.B.E., J.P. (President) L.C. Kotewall, Esq. (Vice President) Michael Tse, Esq. (Hon Treasurer) Miss JA. Willis (Hon Secretary)

S.M. Chum, Esq., E.D.

J.C. Fenton, Esq.

Kenneth Lo, Esq., O.B.E., J.P.

S.J. Lowcock, Esq., M.B.E., J.P. P. Stoppa, Esq.

Frank S.H. Wong Esq.

THE WELFARE LEAGUE

同仁

Registered address:

Rm. 5608 Hopewell Centre, 183. Queen's Road Est. Hong Kong.

Please reply to:

6 Lloyd Path,

The Peak,

28 April 1990.

Hong Kong

British Nationality (Hong Kong) Bill 1990 Clause To Provide Specifically For Descendents Of Britons

This is an appeal by The Welfare League of Hong Kong to the Select Committee on the above Bill for a new clause to be inserted therein to enable the direct descendents of Britons in Hong Kong to be registrable as British Citizens. Not more than 1000 individuals could benefit through such a provision.

2. Though we are small, and keep a low profile, The Welfare League is a recognised charity which has served the Eurasian Community of Hong Kong for sixty years. A recently completed history of the League is attached for your reference.

3. While we are generally referred to as Eurasians in Hong Kong, the use of terminology in vogue in British India would result in our being known as Anglo-Chinese. Indeed, we could appropriately be called locally domiciled Britons as well. However, a majority within the handful of our community remaining in Hong Kong to-day are unable to claim patriality under existing legislation, largely on account of the

number of generations not born in the United Kingdom.

4.

Our plea for a last chance to be granted British Citizenship is wholly based on our blood links with the United Kingdom, and because our community will be the section. of

the population most at risk

risk when Hong Kong reverts to China in 1997, because:

a. we look different, and are commonly included among "the foreign devils": the experience of the Farmer family in North China is ready evidence of this danger; b.

are a continuing reminder of the blot on China's history brought about by the Opium Wars;

C.

we

we have always been supportive of the Crown: this is, perhaps, best exemplified by General Maltby's Despatch on the Defence of Hong Kong in December 1941, where he said: "In closing my despatch I wish to pay especial tribute to the Hong Kong Volunteer Defence

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