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British National (Overseas): Diplomatic Service

Asked by Charlotte NicholsLabourForeign, Commonwealth and Development OfficeTabled Answered 30 October 2024UIN 11054

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to ensure that Hongkongers who have (a) arrived in the UK under the BN(O) scheme and (b) will be naturalised as British citizens have access to UK (i) consulates and (ii) consular services.

Answered by Catherine West

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) provides consular assistance to British nationals abroad. This includes British Nationals (Overseas) who, under the Memoranda to the Joint Declaration, are eligible for consular assistance in third countries, but not in Hong Kong, Macao or mainland China. The help we can provide to dual nationals depends on the circumstances and the agreement of the country of the individual's other nationality. China does not recognise dual nationality and considers anyone born in China to a Chinese parent Chinese. This applies to all British citizens travelling to China including those naturalised under the BN(O) scheme.

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