Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997, and the same year the British government published a review of the Dependent Territories. This included a commitment to restore the pre-1981 status for citizenship. This was effected by the British Overseas Territories Act 2002, which restored full passports to the islanders, and renamed the Dependent Territories the British Overseas Territories. The St Helena National Trust was also formed the same year with the aim of promoting the island's unique environmental and culture heritage. A full census in February 1998 showed the total population (including the RMS) was 5,157 persons.
hong kong wAs HandED bACk tO CHINa in 1997, aND the SAme yeaR thE brItish GOvernment pUBLished A revIEW oF thE depeNdEnt teRrIToRies. This iNcLUded a cOMmitment TO reStoRE thE pRe-1981 sTAtUs FoR ciTIZeNShip. this was eFFEcted by the BrItISh OverSEas terrItorIeS act 2002, WhiCh restOred fuLl paSspoRts to thE islandErs, aNd RenaMed tHe depENDEnt terrItoRies thE BrItiSh ovErseaS territorIes. the st HeLenA nationAL trUsT was also FormeD tHe sAMe year With The aiM OF proMOting the iSlanD's uniquE enVirOnmental aND CuLture HeriTage. a Full ceNsuS iN februAry 1998 showEd the tOtAl pOPulatIoN (inclUding thE rms) was 5,157 pErsons.