hkic.1
BY FAX
6/8.
Mr, balnew epa
Ms Lamy Malkami
BBC Radio
Dear Lamy,
Hong Kong Indian Community
Foreign & Commonwealth
Office
London SWIA 2AH
Telephone: 071- 270 2068
1. You asked me to respond to the claim that some members of the Hong Kong Indian community may become "stateless" after the transfer of sovereignty to China on 1 July 1997.
2.
As we understand it there are about 11,000 Indians in Hong Kong, only 3,000 of whom have no other nationality than Hong Kong British Dependent Territory Citizenship (BDTC). All are eligible to trade this for a form of British nationality that will survive 1997, so none will become stateless.
3.
The background is that, after 1 July 1997 BDTC status will fall way (because Hong Kong will no longer be a dependent territory), but under the 1985 Hong Kong Act, BDTC passport holders can apply for a new form of nationality British National (Overseas). But even if they do nothing and would otherwise become stateless on 1 July 1997 they will automatically acquire British Overseas Citizenship.
4. In either case they will continue, as now, to be British nationals, to be able to carry a British passport and enjoy British consular protection overseas, and will retain their right of abode in Hong Kong (this is guaranteed under the Sino-British Joint Declaration on the Question of Hong Kong of 1984).
5.
Finally, Her Majesty's Government are on record that if any members of the Indian community ever come under pressure to leave Hong Kong in the future, and have nowhere else to go, the government of the day would consider with particular sympathy any request for admission to the United Kingdom.
I hope this is helpful, please contact me if I can be of any futher assistance.
6.
You's ever, Johnken
John Morris
Hogn Kong Department 5 August 1992
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