SHANGHAI (CU)_China on Thursday (Jan 28) rebuked the United Kingdom for hyping up the new visa scheme that offers qualifying Hong Kong citizens a route to British citizenship.
The scheme, which opens on Sunday, is considered to be a response to China’s new security laws in the former British colony. It will allow those with “British National (Overseas)” status to live, study and work in Britain for five years and eventually apply for citizenship.
Britain says the scheme is its way of fulfilling a historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong, after accusing China of breaching the terms of the 1997 Sino-China Joint Declaration, under which Hong Kong was handed back to China upon an agreement of a “one country, two systems” approach, which meant that Hong Kong would have its own legal system and borders.
However, under President Xi Jinping, China has not only eroded these freedoms of Hong Kong, but has also dramatically stepped up its efforts to control the territory since the latest round of pro-democracy protests in 2019.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday hailed the new visa scheme, saying he is “immensely proud” that the programme brought a new route for Hong Kong BN(O)s to live, work and make their home in Britain.
“In doing so we have honoured our profound ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong, and we have stood up for freedom and autonomy – values both the UK and Hong Kong hold dear,” he said in a statement.
However, China rebuked Britain for “hyping up” the visa scheme, which Beijing says is an interference with Hong Kong’s affairs.
“The British side, in breach of its promise, has chosen to obstinately and repeatedly hype up the BNO issue to interfere in Hong Kong affairs and China’s internal affairs,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said. “This will only end up hurting its own interests.”
BN(O) is a 250 pound ($340) special status visa that could attract over 300,000 people and their dependents to Britain and generate up to 2.9 billion pounds net benefit to the British economy over the next five years, according to government forecasts. It estimates that 2.9 million people and a further 2.3 million dependents will be eligible to come to Britain under this scheme.
