TNAG-2668-FCO40-3865-Hong-Kong-Civil-Service-1993 — Page 123

GOVERMENT HOUSE HONG KONG.

08:33

#071 563 8289

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2 HARE COURT

HKA 016/1

CONFIDENTIAL

from A: Water, (HKQ)

17 MA 1993

OPINION

DESA 1x

T

Re

1.

I am asked to advise whether the policy of localisation of the Hong Kong Civil Service is compatible with the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. I shall set out the relevant background (in relation to which I am very grateful for the extremely helpful instructions) and then address the issues

raised.

Introduction

2.

Until 1 July 1997,

1997, Hong Kong is a British Dependent Territory. On that date, pursuant to the Sino-British Joint

Declaration, sovereignty over Hong Kong will revert to the

People's Republic of China.

;

3.

The 1991 Population Census showed that at the end of 1991,

the population of Hong Kong was just over 5.8 million. 60%

of the population were born in Hong Kong, and are therefore British Dependent Territories Citizens under the British

Nationality Act 1981. 34% were born in China. The remaining

6% include British and Commonwealth citizens and aliens

from various countries.

LAKE

4.

It has been, the

This general policy is

recognised by Regulations 18-20 of the

Colonial

CONFIDENTIAL