TNAG-2939-FCO40-4215-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 43

Tack of a "proper" nationality and passport and the absence of

a right of abode in any part of the world after 1997. Their fear

is that they and future generations will be stateless, vulnerable

and isolated in Hong Kong. The solution is seen to be the

granting of "full" British citizenship and right of abode in the

United Kingdom.

The Government's position

4. The Government's position is as follows:-

a.

The ethnic minorities will not be stateless.

Three-quarters

of them hold Indian or Pakistani passports and have been allowed

to remain indefinitely in Hong Kong. The Joint Declaration and

the Basic Law provide for them to acquire the additional status

of permanent resident with right of abode in Hong Kong. The

minority with no nationality other than BDTC, BN (0) or BOC will

retain British nationality either BN(0) or BOC after 1997.

They will retain the right of abode in Hong Kong after 1997.

b. None of their children or grandchildren will be stateless.

The Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 specifically

provides that the children of BDTCs (including those from the

ethnic minorities) will have BOC status if they would otherwise

be stateless and that their

grandchildren will have an

entitlement to

to acquire this status by registration if the

grandparents were BDTCs other than by descent. Those who are not

BDTCS but wish to secure right of abode before 1997 may do so by

applying to become BDTCs.