TNAG-2939-FCO40-4215-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 68

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

is that they will be stateless, vulnerable and isolated in Hong

Kong and that future generations will suffer the same

difficulties.

4. The solution is seen to be the granting of "full" British

citizenship and right of abode in the United Kingdom. This is

what the legislative councillors will be pressing for, not only

with Mr Wardle but possibly also with the Prime Minister whom the

first group are seeing on Tuesday 19 January and the Foreign

Secretary whom the second group are seeing just before meeting

Mr Wardle.

See note

night of abode". A-B.

The Government's position

5. The Government's stance 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 gives

categorical assurance that the children of BDTCS (including those