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REPLY TO QUESTIONS LISTED IN THE CANADIAN HIGH COMMISSION'S LETTER OF 9 MARCH
(a) About 3 million. Most of these will be British National (Overseas) (BN(0)) passport holders with some British Overseas Citizens (BOC) and British Citizens.
(b) Most of them. However Chinese nationality laws do not recognise dual nationality. All persons born in China (including Hong Kong) of Chinese race are considered by the Chinese to be Chinese nationals. This means that all BN (0) and most British Citizen passport and some BOC holders will be considered by the Chinese to be Chinese Citizens. The only exception are those Chinese who are deemed to have revoked their Chinese nationality (eg by obtaining foreign nationality by residence abroad). These will be regarded as foreign
nationals.
(c) There are as yet no specific plans to discuss post-1997 consular arrangements with Beijing.
(d) The Chinese position on former British Dependent Territories Citizens (including BNOS and recipients of British Citizenship under the 1990 BNHKA) is set out in the Chinese Memorandum associated with the Joint Declaration (copy attached): in brief that these people may use UK "travel documents" (passports) but that they will not be entitled to British Consular protection in Hong Kong or other parts of China.
(e) No.
We understand China's position (as in (d) above) but we reserve the right to make representations on behalf of British nationals as necessary in Hong Kong as we do in China at present.
(f) See (e) above.
(g) No. Hong Kong people are already aware of China's attitude to consular protection for those it considers to be Chinese nationals.
answers.canada.NAT
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