escapades of the elusive kat

Haha, that’s actually a very good question. Although Hong Kong and Macau are “considered” China, but they are not really China. Both are Special Administrative Regions (thus, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR or RAEM in Portuguese “Região Administrativa Especial de Macau”), with totally different government, legal, and whatever systems there may be. You could think like in a corporate environment when you have a “dotted line” reporting line. You are not really under that department head but he has some sort of say in what you do.

Most nationalities coming into Hong Kong and Macau get an automatic 30-day landing visa but you will need a visa going into China. (Although I heard some passports, I think the Japanese passport) can get a visa going into Hong Kong/Macau and China.

People born in Macau or Hong Kong do not automatically get the Chinese nationality either. They get residency rights in Macau (not sure if this policy has changed or not), in Hong Kong it’s more complicated, but as for nationality, you’ll need to rely on your parents. I was born in Macau but I do not have Chinese nationality. I have residency rights in Macau but I am not allowed to get a Macau Passport because I cannot prove I have Chinese ancestors. I rely on my Mom’s Portuguese nationality to have a Portuguese passport (and Austrian passport from my dad).

I know there are a lot of noises in Hong Kong for many Hong Kong born “foreigners” but not allowed to get a Hong Kong passport.

What I’ve written here may be over simplified but I never really studied the intricate information on the matter.