Nationality law of the People's Republic of China Concerning the Implementation of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China in the Macau Special Administrative Region", its equivalent of Macau, although with an additional exception that permits Macau residents of mixed Portuguese and Chinese descent to choose their nationality. In practice, many overseas Chinese, who are of "Chinese descent", would not have been Chinese nationals but for the "Explanation", so this provision effectively bestowed Chinese nationality on any Hong Kong- or Macau-resident child who is of Chinese descent and was born in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan or mainland China, regardless of the nationalities of his parents, in
Nationality law of the People's Republic of China the Hong Kong handover and came into effect on July 1, 1997. The "Interpretation" provide details concerning the implementation of Chinese Nationality Law on Hong Kong residents, and the main idea of the Interpretation is that all Hong Kong residents of Chinese descent who were born in the Chinese territories are considered Chinese nationals, whether or not they have acquired the "right of abode" in foreign countries. In effect, this means foreign nationalities under the respective foreign laws. The reason for referring to the foreign "right of abode" instead of foreign nationality is to avoid making an exception to, or