TNAG-2638-FCO40-3830-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1992 — Page 41

HONG KONG POST-1997: NON-CHINESE ETHNIC MINORITIES

Ethnic Indians make up the majority of the non-Chinese

ethnic minority in Hong Kong. A few thousand of these have no

nationality other than Hong Kong British Dependent Territory

Citizenship or British Overseas Citizenship.

Uncertainty about whether non-ethnic Chinese would be able

to obtain Chinese nationality after 1997 highlighted the need for special provisions for this group. (But their continued right of abode in Hong Kong after 1997 is not in doubt see

below).

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British Dependent Territory Citizenship will cease on 1 July

1997 (because Hong Kong will no longer be a dependent

territory). Under the 1985 Hong Kong Act, BDTC passport

holders can apply for a new form of nationality British

National (Overseas). Even if those eligible fail to apply for this new form of nationality, all those who would otherwise become stateless on 1 July 1997 will automatically acquire

British Overseas Citizenship. Their children and

will

In

grandchildren if they would otherwise be stateless also be able to acquire British Overseas Citizenship. either case (as a British National Overseas or a British Overseas Citizen) they will be able to carry a British passport and benefit from British Consular protection

overseas.

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The continued right of abode for all those resident in Hong Kong at the time of the transfer of sovereignty is assured both in the Joint Declaration (chapter 14) and in the

Basic Law (chapter 3, article 24).

nonchinese.ethnic.NAT

JEB