TNAG-2933-FCO40-4208-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-British-National-(Overseas)-1993 — Page 62

For information on

1 June 1993

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD 340/1

R+

04 JU 1993

KECUTI

Mr Barnes - Imes (127

NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Я

3/6

XCCI(93)20

Copy No. of

BRITISH OVERSEAS CITIZEN PASSPORTS VIS A VIS BN(0) PASSPORTS

INTRODUCTION

At the meeting on 4 May 1993, Members asked for an information note on the British Overseas Citizen (BOC) status, after discussion of a recent media exchange on the subject. At the meeting on 18 May 1993, Members asked for an information note on the difference between the BN(O) passport and the BOC passport. This note responds to both requests.

A

B

BACKGROUND

The Origin of BOC Status

2

The BOC status came into existence with the commencement of the British Nationality Act 1981 in 1983, for a very small minority of people who were previously Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies who did not become British Citizens or British Dependent Territories Citizens. These were people who had been settled in an ex-British colony, but who had not become nationals of the ex-colony when it became independent (for example, some Chinese in Malaysia).

3

BOC status will, in 1997, become an option for those Hong Kong BDTCs who do not become Chinese nationals or BN(O)s; all Hong Kong Chinese, except those with other nationality, will become Chinese nationals in 1997 automatically; the ethnic minorities may also become Chinese nationals voluntarily, according to our understanding of the PRC position.

4

The comparative provisions for BDTCs, BN(O)s and BOCs are set out in full at Annex A. A simpler diagram of the various options beyond 1997 for Hong Kong BDTCs is at Annex B.

Executive Council