TNAG-2648-FCO40-3841-Visa-waiver-agreement-between-Hong-Kong-and-former-Eastern-B-1992 — Page 22

24 March 1992

Richard Bradley Esq

British Embassy

Prague

**

Fili

pa pert

HKD 345/2

Foreign & Commonwealth

Office

London SWIA 2AH

10

Telephone: 071-

tiba 1997

ZB

Dear Bradky,

PROPOSED VISA WAIVER AGREEMENT: CZECHOSLOVAKIA/HONG KONG

Thank you for your letter of 18 February asking about the position of Hong Kong BDTCS and BOC's after the transfer of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty.

1.

2. The Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order of 1986 sets out the nationality ground rules for citizens of Hong Kong. It states that BDTC status in Hong Kong will cease on 1 July 1997 (not in 1996 as in your letter). But it further provides that these citizens can become British Nationals (Overseas) (BN (0) s) provided that they apply for registration before 1 July 1997, (except in the case of children of BDTCs born between 1 January 1997 and 30 June 1997, who may be registered as BN (0)s up to the end of 1997.

3.

BN (0) status therefore was expressly designed to enable people who were previously Hong Kong BDTCs to continue to hold a form of British nationality after 1997. But they will not be able to transmit BN (0) status to their children. BDTCS who do not obtain BN (0) citizenship by 30 June 1997, and who would otherwise be stateless, will automatically become BOCS. BOC status will (obviously) also continue after 1997. But unlike BN (0)s, BDTCs will be able to transmit this form of nationality for two generations (ie to their children and grandchildren).

4.

I hope the above explanation is helpful.

Woodrol-

J Woodrow

Hong Kong Department

JH2ADH JRB