China Targets U.K.’s Hong Kong Passports Over Citizenship Plan

Chinese authorities will not contemplate the British Countrywide Overseas passport a valid vacation doc setting up Sunday—the working day the U.K.’s system starts—and retains the correct to acquire further more actions, International Ministry spokesman

Zhao Lijian

mentioned Friday, according to state broadcaster China Central Television. Hours previously, the British governing administration had declared extra aspects of the visa system, which was designed in response to China imposing nationwide stability laws on Hong Kong in June.

The move is extra symbolic, with restricted effect on holders of BNO passports, simply because people touring by means of Hong Kong and mainland China border checkpoints usually use their Hong Kong id card and a “return property card” issued by Chinese authorities, respectively. A passport is utilised only upon moving into and exiting other nations.

China and the U.K. have exchanged barbs about China’s handling of Hong Kong, a former British colony that was returned to Beijing in 1997. The U.K. granted the correct to a BNO passport for Hong Kong citizens born prior to the handover as part of the sovereignty offer, nevertheless it beforehand conferred no citizenship rights.

Underneath the U.K.’s new system, BNO passport holders who utilize for a visa can change to British citizenship right after 5 several years of settling in the nation. China has expressed anger simply because offering a route to citizenship wasn’t what was agreed upon prior to Hong Kong was returned.

“The British aspect disregarded the truth that Hong Kong has been returned to China for 24 several years, disregarded China’s solemn posture and blatantly violated its promises,” Mr. Zhao mentioned. “China is strongly indignant and firmly opposes this.”

There were being near to half a million BNO passport holders as of Oct. two, according to the British Property Office, which did not specify how quite a few of those also held choice vacation files. In the metropolis of 7.5 million, the U.K. estimated, there were being two.nine million BNO citizens qualified to move to the U.K., with an supplemental two.3 million qualified dependents.

In an effect assessment published by the Property Office in Oct, the U.K. estimated that up to 153,700 BNO position holders and their dependents would acquire up the route in the very first 12 months and up to 322,400 about 5 several years. The moves could have a web profit to the U.K. of the equivalent of $3.29 billion to $3.98 billion about 5 several years, the report mentioned.

“I am immensely proud that we have brought in this new route for Hong Kong BNOs to dwell, get the job done and make their property in our nation,” British Primary Minister

Boris Johnson

mentioned in the announcement Friday. “In carrying out so, we have honored our profound ties of historical past and friendship with the people of Hong Kong, and we have stood up for independence and autonomy—values both equally the U.K. and Hong Kong maintain pricey.”

Compose to Natasha Khan at [email protected]