TNAG-2205-FCO40-3162-Immigration-policy-changes-to-rules-1990 — Page 48

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AD HOC WORKING GROUP ON IMMIGRATION

HONG KONG

Note by the United Kingdom Delegation

At the meeting of the Ad Hoc Group on Immigration on 12 and

13 July the Spanish delegation raised the subject of immigration applications from Hong Kong. This paper by the UK delegation describes the situation and the arrangements which are being made to reduce emigration from Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is at present a British Dependent Territory but will

revert to Chinese sovereignty on 1 July 1997. In 1984 the British and Chinese Governments signed a Joint Declaration about the future of Hong Kong in which the Chinese Government undertook that the Hong Kong economic system would continue under Chinese rule and that Hong Kong would become a special administrative region within China. Among other matters the Joint Declaration also guarantees that Hong Kong residents will be free to travel outside China after 1997. The British

Government's primary commitment under the Joint Declaration

is to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity and stability in the

period before July 1997.

Citizenship arrangements in Hong Kong

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The attached table summarises the various forms of British

nationality in Hong Kong before and after 1997. Hong Kong has a population of nearly 6 million who are mainly of Chinese origin or descent. Chinese law regards this majority as Chinese nationals but they can if they wish and if they have completed a period of residence obtain Hong Kong certificates of identity as travel documents. About 3.28 million Hong Kong residents are also British Dependent Territory Citizens (BDTC). This citizenship can be acquired by birth in Hong Kong or by application after a period of residence there. BDTC status acquired by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong guarantees right of abode in Hong Kong but not right of abode in the UK (which is only guaranteed by British Citizenship).