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 Chinese citizenship as a matter of law under Article 9, but in practice, for such foreign citizens who return to reside in Hong Kong, such change of citizenship is only recognized within Hong Kong after making a declaration of the change of nationality at Hong Kong's Immigration Department. Once the declaration is made, such persons would be released from their Chinese nationality. As under the Interpretation, the relevant forms of British nationality are not recognized as acquired after "settling" in a foreign country: the British Nationals (Overseas) status held by people of Chinese descent born in China (including Hong Kong),