TNAG-2939-FCO40-4215-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 83

حد السااا

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First, I should confirm how much I appreciate the

contribution to Hong Kong by the ethnic minority groups

you represent. They contribute out of proportion to their

numbers. They are valued by the community as well as the

Their concerns over the change of

Administration.

sovereignty in 1997 are understandable, as are other

people's. But their status seems to me in no way in

danger.

As you know the question of whether they have a

special position vis-a-vis UK citizenship has been given

full consideration previously by both the British and Hong

Kong Governments both in the past and more recently in the

context of the British Nationality Scheme. I am afraid

that my conclusions, like those of the Secretary for

Security in full Legislative Council session in November

and his representative at the Nationality Sub-Committee

meeting in late December, are the same: there is

insufficient case for the special treatment on a racial

basis that you request.

Non-Chinese who are Hong Kong British Dependant

Territories citizens [HKBDTCa] or British National

(Overseas) [BN(0)s) are not stateless, as often described,

and will not be after 1997.

In the case of Indians in Hong Kong (leaving

aside the majority who are Indian passport holders) as

HKBDTCS they have the right of abode in Hong Kong now, and