TNAG-2941-FCO40-4217-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-ethnic-minorities-1993 — Page 14

13-07-90

15:49

HOME OFFICE BE DIVISION-LUNAR HS

003

FOR USE IF THE QUESTION OF EXTENDING THE CONCESSION TO CHINESE NATIONALS IS RAISED

The immigration assurance we have given has always been in the context of the non-Chinese ethnic minority with no claim to any nationality other than British.

reason why particular concern has been expressed for the ethnic minorities is that, after 1997, some of them may not have any status other than BN (0) or BOC; just as some at present have only BDTC status. This is the reason why, over the years, they have been given a firm assurance about the Government's reponse if they came under pressure to leave Hong Kong.

The ethnically Chinese will be in a totally different position, since they will automatically be Chinese nationals with all the rights and security which go with the possession of citizenship. It would not therefore be appropriate to extend to ethnic Chinese

BN(0)s an assurance in the terms given to the ethnic minorities

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