Dual nationality not recognized in HK, says Lam

Dual nationality is not recognized in Hong Kong and so dual nationals are not eligible for consular protection, says Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor.

Lam was responding to an update on the British government's website on Monday warning nationals that Hong Kong does not recognize dual nationality just like any other mainland city.

On the updated foreign travel advice, the British government website states that the consulate-general may not be able to offer consular assistance to those with both British and Chinese nationalities even if they enter Hong Kong using a British passport.

That is because Hong Kong authorities may treat British-Chinese nationals as Chinese citizens.

The British government warned that dual nationals who have formally renounced Chinese citizenship should carry evidence that they have done so when traveling to Hong Kong.

A total of 470,295 British nationals visited Hong Kong in 2019 and most visits are trouble free, the website states.

Lam confirmed yesterday that Hongkongers with dual nationalities are regarded as Chinese nationals in Hong Kong by referring to the National People's Congress Standing Committee's explanation in 1996 about the application of the Chinese Nationality Law in the SAR after the 1997 handover.

"That [Chinese Nationality Law] has a very specific provision that where people have a foreign nationality or right of abode elsewhere, unless they have renounced and have been approved to renounce Chinese nationality, they are regarded as Chinese nationals in Hong Kong," Lam said.

She added that dual nationality is not recognized in the nationality law.

"Likewise, those with dual nationality will not be eligible for consular protection, including consular visits. That is very clear. We are strictly enforcing or implementing that particular policy," Lam told reporters before an Executive Council meeting.

By referring to the Vienna Convention, dual nationals will not be eligible for consular protection and visits when situated in one of the places a person possesses national status.

"That is a general rule applied to all countries and places," Lam said.

Reuters reported that Canada received its first notification from a Canadian dual-national prisoner in Hong Kong required to declare his nationality in January.

Canadian foreign ministry spokeswoman Christelle Chartrand said Canadians who wish to receive consular services should present themselves as Canadians to authorities at all times.

maisy.mok@singtaonewscorp.com