HONG KONG AND MACAU
Portugal has been more generous to Macau than the UK to Hong
Kong. All Portuguese nationals in Macau have right of abode
in Portugal but BDTCs do not have right of abode in the UK
My understanding is that Portuguese Nationality Law makes
no distinction between Portuguese nationals in Portugal
and in Macau. That is not the case with British
Nationality Law and Hong Kong.
There is nothing new in this. I understand that
Portugal's nationality legislation affecting places has remained unchanged for some years.
It is not sensible to try to draw analogies between the 2
situations. Different historical and constitutional
factors are reflected in long standing differences
between nationals policies and legislations.
In any event the numbers involved are of quite a
different order approximately 100,000 Portuguese
nationals in Macau as opposed to up to 3 million British
Dependent Territory citizens in Hong Kong.
Portuguese in Macau have better access to the UK than BDTCs in
Hong Kong
They have the same freedom of movement in the EC as other
Portuguese nationals.
Under the transitional arrangements for Portugal until
the end of 1992 Portuguese individuals seeking to work in
the UK require work permits.
Will beneficiaries in Hong Kong under the Bill have freedom of
movement in the European Community?
Yes.
Has the European Community approved the proposal to extend
citizenship to 50,000 families in Hong Kong?
The European Community has no say in the matter. Each country determines its own citizenship law.
DI
1990.
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