Growing speculation that dual citizens living in Hong Kong might soon be forced to choose which of the two nationalities they wish to keep is drawing concern from Global Affairs Canada.
Though dual nationality has not been legally recognized in Hong Kong since 1980, local authorities have begun to enforce the law more broadly and rigorously in recent weeks, reportedly refusing consular access and detaining dual nationals who declare themselves as Chinese.
Global Affairs Canada now says it’s worried about the impact such a move would have on the 300,000 Canadians living in Hong Kong, and is seeking additional information from Hong Kong local authorities.
There is also talk that Beijing might extend its Chinese Nationality Laws to Hong Kong, which would strip dual citizens of their Hong Kong passport if they don’t renounce their foreign citizenship.
Immigration Lawyer Lawrence Wong tells OMNI Televison this would be another nail in the coffin for the “one country, two systems” model, and would force Canadians to choose between Canada and Hong Kong.
“I think people might be frightened or scared or angry and will cite this as further erosion of the ‘one country, two systems’ slogan,” said Wong, who continued on to say he doesn’t believe much will actually come of the threat.
“First of all, this is talk. Nothing is official. If this really happens, there’s the issue of enforceability. No other country can force you to give up your nationality or your citizenship of another country. Usually you have to do that voluntarily (to make it work) they would need local law — Hong Kong law — to say, ‘in that case, the Hong Kong government has the right to strip you o whatever special status you have’.”
In a statement to OMNI Television, Global Affairs Canada said it is advising those who wish to receive consular services to present themselves as Canadian to authorities at all times, as China doesn’t legally recognize dual nationality in Hong Kong.
“Canada has expressed its concern to the Hong Kong Government and continues to seek additional information from local authorities on any changes to the treatment of dual nationals,” the statement said.
Edward Chin, a Canadian based in Hong Kong, told OMNI Television that police crackdown on pro-democracy activists has intensified since the National Security Law was passed in June 2020. According to Chin, some of his peers have already been arrested, making him feel he soon will have no choice but to leave Hong Kong.
“If that happens to me, who is a hedge fund manager, but also pro-democracy, but also vocal in terms of upholding Hong Kong’s old values, and they don’t like it, then at that time I think it’s my time to leave,” Chin said.
Not everyone living abroad feels that choosing Canada is the right move. Davin Wong is a pro-democracy activist who fled Hong Kong for Canada last year. He tells OMNI Television that the decision between nationalities is a difficult one for those who have built their life in Hong Kong.
“I think for a lot of Hong Kong people, that would mean a strip of residency in Hong Kong,” said Wong, who shared his fears that the loss of Chinese nationality would also take away his right to live in Hong Kong as well.
“That I think a lot of my peers are not ready to get rid of yet.”
At the end of the day, Wong believes the choice is a personal one and will depend on each individual’s situation. But he anticipates many will choose to come to Canada after the National Security Law is enacted, and is calling on the Canadian government to make preparations as many of the newcomers have never set foot in Canada.
“There’s a significant portion of Canadians in Hong Kong, who have never had any establishment in Canada,” Wong said.
“That’s why Canadian government probably wants to be prepared to accommodate them.”
For now, the Canadian government is still seeking more information from the Hong Kong government on any changes to the treatment of dual nationals. Chin notes that January 31st will be a date to watch for, as that’s when UK opens its doors to British National Overseas passport holders who wish to move to the UK. He believes that a mass departure of people could trigger Beijing to ban dual citizenship in Hong Kong as retaliation to prevent Hong Kongers from leaving.
* with files from Karen So
