questions.NAT
JEB
Is there not a risk that some members of the ethnic community
will become stateless post 1997 ?
No one from this community will become stateless they will all retain a form of British nationality after 1997 (either
BN (0) or BOC). Neither will their children nor their grandchildren be stateless. The Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 specifically provides that the
children of BDTCs will have BOC status if they would otherwise
be stateless. The grandchildren of the original BDTCs will in
most cases have an entitlement to acquire BOC status by
registration (again, if they would otherwise be stateless).
What other safeguards are there to protect the community's
position in Hong Kong ?
The Joint Declaration and article 24 (6) of the Basic Law
guarantee the ethnic minorities right of abode in Hong Kong if
they do not have a right of abode elsewhere. The Chinese
authorities have said that people in Hong Kong of non-Chinese race are welcome to remain and have suggested that they might wish to apply for Chinese citizenship in the future.
BN (0) and BOC passports confer consular protection
world-wide including in the future SAR for holders who are not
Chinese nationals.
Does this assurance extend to other British Nationals?
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The assurance I have just given was made in the context of
the ethnic minorities.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.