The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China passport is a passport issued only to permanent residents of Hong Kong who also hold Chinese citizenship. In accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, since the transfer of sovereignty on 1 July 1997, the passport has been issued by the Immigration Department of the Government of Hong Kong under the authorisation of the Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. As the official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese and English, the passport is printed bilingually in both Chinese (traditional characters) and English. In late 2019, the fourth version of the HKSAR passport was launched. Name In English, the passport is sometimes referred to by its long-form name which appears on the cover (i.e. the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region People's Republic of China passport – a literal translation of the Chinese title ). Alternatively, the passport is commonly referred to as the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport () (the Hong Kong legislative ordinance concerning the passport is titled the "Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passports Ordinance (Chapter 539)", the Hong Kong SAR passport, the HKSAR passport or the Hong Kong passport. The authorities of the Republic of China (commonly known as "Taiwan") refer to the Hong Kong SAR passport as the "Hong Kong passport" because the ROC government tries to avoid references to the political status of Hong Kong as a SAR of the People's Republic of China. Meanwhile, the Brazilian Consulate-General in Hong Kong uses the term "Hong Kong passport" in reference to both the Hong Kong SAR and British National (Overseas) passports. Historical background Hong Kong official travel documents prior to 1997 included the Hong Kong Certificate of Identity (CI), British Dependent Territories Citizen (BDTC), British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) and British Citizen (BC) passports. After 1997, BN(O) and BC passports are still valid but CIs and BDTC passports are no longer in use. First version (1997–2003) The issuing of Hong Kong SAR passports began on 1 July 1997, following the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China. PRC citizens who have right of abode in the HKSAR and who hold Hong Kong permanent resident identity cards, whether or not they are holders of British National (Overseas) passport or Hong Kong Certificate of Identity or other travel documents,