British consular protection enjoyed by BN(O) passport holders outside the PRC and the UK
Encyclopedia
For information regarding whether BN(O) passport holders can enjoy British consular protection inside the mainland China, please refer to the article Home Return Permit
.
The British Government asserts that British National (Overseas)
passport holders enjoy the same level of consular service in third countries (outside the UK and PRC) as other British National
s. http://www.britishconsulate.org.hk/english/bchk/Br_Comm.htm
In 2000, the British Government asserts that "Cantonese-speaking staff at the British Consulate-General pay periodic visits to the 80 or so BN(O)s who are in prison in Thailand." http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmselect/cmfaff/574/0102506.htm
In 2005, the British Consulate-General Hong Kong advertised for renewal of BN(O) passports in some magazines (e.g. HK Magazine) in Hong Kong, saying that "Travel with confidence on your BN(O) passport. Reliable. Secure. And renewable for life."
The Government of the People's Republic of China
(PRC) claims that BN(O)s who are also PRC citizens
can enjoy PRC consular protection in third countries even they travelled on their BN(O) passports. http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/xwfb/gsxwg/2000/t40883.htm
There have been instances that have cast some doubt regarding the availability of British consular protection for BN(O)s outside the UK and the PRC. In 1999, it was reported that a Hong Kong resident, who had traveled to India on his BN(O) passport had been wrongly detained for 23 days because his BN(O) passport was suspected by Indian officials to be fake and was certified as a forgery by the British High Commission in Bombay without seeking verification from the relevant authorities (British Consulate-General) in Hong Kong. However, he sought assistance from the PRC Embassy there and the BN(O) passport was verified by the British Consulate-General Hong Kong under pressure of the PRC Government. It was found that his BN(O) passport was genuine.http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/xwfb/gsxwg/2000/t40883.htm
http://past.people.com.cn/GB/other4583/5071/10514/20030606/1010223.html (http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr00-01/english/counmtg/hansard/001025fe.pdf pp.22–25)
Pursuant to this issue, the British authorities have upgraded all British passports regardless of type to include enhanced security features such as digitized photographs and signatures, and electronic security features that have made requests for verification by foreign immigration officers by the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong far less necessary/frequent.
In 1999. Mr Wu, a BN(O) who was a Hong Kong resident, was said to be a member of the gang once led by Cheung Tze-keung. He was arrested by police in a Bangkok street. As the request of the Chinese Government, Mr Wu was sent to mainland China
directly. No formal extradition hearing was held for him because, say the Thai authorities, “he didn’t ask for it”. They also claimed that Mr Wu, went willingly to China. The British Foreign Office stated that it should have been informed of Mr Wu’s arrest and impending extradition. Mr Wu, in turn, should have been able to seek British consular assistance in Bangkok. However, John Battle
, claimed the Thai authorities had promised it would not happen again later. (Chinese law—A very long arm, The Economist
, 25 November 1999)
Home Return Permit
A ‘Home Return Permit’ , also referred to as a ‘Home Visit Permit’ or ‘China Back Home Pass’ , is the colloquial name for the national identity document officially known as the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents issued to PRC citizens who are permanent residents of Hong Kong...
.
The British Government asserts that British National (Overseas)
British National (Overseas)
British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens...
passport holders enjoy the same level of consular service in third countries (outside the UK and PRC) as other British National
British nationality law
British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom that concerns citizenship and other categories of British nationality. The law is complex because of the United Kingdom's former status as an imperial power.-History:...
s. http://www.britishconsulate.org.hk/english/bchk/Br_Comm.htm
In 2000, the British Government asserts that "Cantonese-speaking staff at the British Consulate-General pay periodic visits to the 80 or so BN(O)s who are in prison in Thailand." http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm199900/cmselect/cmfaff/574/0102506.htm
In 2005, the British Consulate-General Hong Kong advertised for renewal of BN(O) passports in some magazines (e.g. HK Magazine) in Hong Kong, saying that "Travel with confidence on your BN(O) passport. Reliable. Secure. And renewable for life."
The Government of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
(PRC) claims that BN(O)s who are also PRC citizens
Home Return Permit
A ‘Home Return Permit’ , also referred to as a ‘Home Visit Permit’ or ‘China Back Home Pass’ , is the colloquial name for the national identity document officially known as the Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents issued to PRC citizens who are permanent residents of Hong Kong...
can enjoy PRC consular protection in third countries even they travelled on their BN(O) passports. http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/xwfb/gsxwg/2000/t40883.htm
There have been instances that have cast some doubt regarding the availability of British consular protection for BN(O)s outside the UK and the PRC. In 1999, it was reported that a Hong Kong resident, who had traveled to India on his BN(O) passport had been wrongly detained for 23 days because his BN(O) passport was suspected by Indian officials to be fake and was certified as a forgery by the British High Commission in Bombay without seeking verification from the relevant authorities (British Consulate-General) in Hong Kong. However, he sought assistance from the PRC Embassy there and the BN(O) passport was verified by the British Consulate-General Hong Kong under pressure of the PRC Government. It was found that his BN(O) passport was genuine.http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/chn/xwfb/gsxwg/2000/t40883.htm
http://past.people.com.cn/GB/other4583/5071/10514/20030606/1010223.html (http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr00-01/english/counmtg/hansard/001025fe.pdf pp.22–25)
Pursuant to this issue, the British authorities have upgraded all British passports regardless of type to include enhanced security features such as digitized photographs and signatures, and electronic security features that have made requests for verification by foreign immigration officers by the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong far less necessary/frequent.
In 1999. Mr Wu, a BN(O) who was a Hong Kong resident, was said to be a member of the gang once led by Cheung Tze-keung. He was arrested by police in a Bangkok street. As the request of the Chinese Government, Mr Wu was sent to mainland China
Mainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
directly. No formal extradition hearing was held for him because, say the Thai authorities, “he didn’t ask for it”. They also claimed that Mr Wu, went willingly to China. The British Foreign Office stated that it should have been informed of Mr Wu’s arrest and impending extradition. Mr Wu, in turn, should have been able to seek British consular assistance in Bangkok. However, John Battle
John Battle
John Battle may refer to:*John Battle , British Labour politician, Member of Parliament for Leeds West *John S. Battle , American politician, Governor of Virginia 1950–1954...
, claimed the Thai authorities had promised it would not happen again later. (Chinese law—A very long arm, The Economist
The Economist
The Economist is an English-language weekly news and international affairs publication owned by The Economist Newspaper Ltd. and edited in offices in the City of Westminster, London, England. Continuous publication began under founder James Wilson in September 1843...
, 25 November 1999)