Budapest Post

Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate
Budapest, Europe and world news

China threatens to stop recognising BN(O) passports after Britain’s visa move

China threatens to stop recognising BN(O) passports after Britain’s visa move

Beijing hits back after Britain announces creation of new special class of visa for Hongkongers holding BN(O) passport.

China’s foreign ministry has doubled down on its threat to stop recognising BN(O) passports, a day after Britain issued more details on advancing plans to open its doors to eligible Hongkongers.

The British government is set to create a special class of visa for Hong Kong holders of British National (Overseas) passports as the first step in a new pathway to earning the right of abode in the country and full British citizenship.

According to a statement issued on Thursday, by the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, there would be no cap on the number of BN(O) passport holders allowed to take part, and applications would open on January 31, 2021. Close family members of passport holders would also be eligible for the visas.

“The imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong marked a clear erosion of the rights and freedoms for the people of this city. This new route to the UK is part of our commitment to the people of Hong Kong,” Andrew Heyn, the British consul to Hong Kong, said.

In a press briefing on Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian was asked if Beijing would take retaliatory measures or stop BN(O) passport holders from leaving Hong Kong.

UK unveils details of citizenship offer for Hongkongers with BN(O) passport holders


“The Chinese government has repeatedly made clear its strong stance on this issue, but the British side has insisted on … interfering with Hong Kong affairs and China’s domestic issues. It is only moving a rock to hit its own feet,” he said.

“As the British side broke its own promises, the Chinese government will consider not recognising the BN(O) passport as a valid travel document, and reserve the right to impose further measures.”

Zhao was referring to the argument that before Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule in 1997, London promised it would not grant the right of abode to Hong Kong Chinese BN(O) holders.

Former Hong Kong secretary for security, Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, previously said if the foreign ministry proceeded with the move, the city’s Immigration Department might instruct flight companies to stop selling tickets to BN(O) passport holders.

Passengers could be banned from leaving or entering Hong Kong using the passports, even though they could still do so with Hong Kong or Chinese passports.

In a statement issued on Friday, a spokesman for the foreign ministry’s Hong Kong office also said he “strongly opposed and firmly objected” to the British decision.

“We urged the British side to rectify its mistakes immediately, and stop its hypocritical show and political manipulation,” he said.

“By providing this new pathway, the British have publicly violated their own promise, blatantly interfered with China’s domestic issues and Hong Kong affairs, and seriously violated international law and basic principles of international relations.”

A spokesman for the Hong Kong government also said it “deplores and opposes” the British government’s interference in Hong Kong affairs.

On Thursday, the British government said it was changing the entitlements attached to the BN(O) status in response to the breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration by the Chinese government in restricting the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people, and eroding the high degree of autonomy of the city.

China condemns UK for citizenship offer to BN(O) passport holders in Hong Kong


But the Chinese foreign ministry’s Hong Kong spokesman said London had twisted the 1984 declaration, which focused on what the Chinese and British governments must do in the run-up to the 1997 handover.

“Nothing in the declaration mentioned that the British has any responsibility regarding Hong Kong after the handover,” he said. “Britain has no sovereignty over Hong Kong … its so-called commitment to the people of Hong Kong was only wishful thinking and groundless.”

Immigration consultants said the launch of the new special visa attracted a lot of inquiries from young Hongkongers born in the 1990s.

“The cost shows the UK government is trying to make the visa affordable for BN(O) holders,” said Willis Fu Yiu-wai, marketing director and senior immigration consultant of Goldmax Associates.

He cited Britain’s spousal visa, which costs £1,523 (HK15,000) as an example.


A large banner promotes the national security law in Quarry Bay.


A 36-year-old office clerk, who asked to be identified as John, planned to apply for the visa in February, and move to England after his contract expires next summer.

“I was arrested in the protests before, so I must apply for a visa before Hong Kong authorities lay any charge on me,” he said.

“After the national security law was imposed, Hong Kong was no longer suitable for me to live in. You can only live here if you are an obedient subject who doesn’t care about what happens.”

But analysts also noted the visa scheme remained unclear to many residents.

A government primary school teacher in his 40s, who planned to emigrate with his family to Britain with his BN(O), said he was unsure whether to go.

One of his questions, he said, was whether his family would still be eligible to apply for citizenship if not all of them lived in the country during the five-year period.

He also said some teachers in public schools were also concerned whether their pensions would be terminated by the city’s government if they emigrated under the scheme.

“Speculations emerged among colleagues about possible retaliation from the government,” he said.

In July, the Hong Kong government objected to Britain’s decision to suspend its extradition agreement, and accused the former colonial ruler of double standards, gross interference in China’s internal affairs, and violating international law.

This week, Ireland suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong in the wake of national security legislation the country’s foreign minister, Simon Coveney, said had been adopted without any meaningful consultation.

“This decision ... clearly signals Ireland’s concerns in relation to the rule of law in Hong Kong and the erosion of judicial independence promised under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle,” Coveney said.

Last week, Finland also announced it would suspend its extradition agreement with Hong Kong, following similar moves by Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Britain.

Issuing a statement on Friday, a Hong Kong government spokesman said it had sent a notice to Finland’s consulate in Hong Kong to suspend its agreement with the country on the surrender of fugitive offenders.

AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Putin Celebrates ‘Unprecedentedly High’ Ties with China as Gazprom Seals Power of Siberia-2 Deal
China Unveils New Weapons in Grand Military Parade as Xi Hosts Putin and Kim
Rapper Cardi B Cleared of Liability in Los Angeles Civil Assault Trial
Google Avoids Break-Up in U.S. Antitrust Case as Stocks Rise
Couple celebrates 80th wedding anniversary at assisted living facility in Lancaster
Information Warfare in the Age of AI: How Language Models Become Targets and Tools
The White House on LinkedIn Has Changed Their Profile Picture to Donald Trump
"Insulted the Prophet Muhammad": Woman Burned Alive by Angry Mob in Niger State, Nigeria
Trump Responds to Death Rumors – Announces 'Missile City'
Druzhba Pipeline Incident Sparks Geopolitical Tensions
Cost of Opposition Leader Péter Magyar's Economic Plan Revealed
Germany in Turmoil: Ukrainian Teenage Girl Pushed to Death by Illegal Iraqi Migrant
United Krack down on human rights: Graham Linehan Arrested at Heathrow Over Three X Posts, Hospitalised, Released on Bail with Posting Ban
Asian and Middle Eastern Investors Avoid US Markets
Ray Dalio Warns of US Shift to Autocracy
Eurozone Inflation Rises to 2.1% in August
Russia and China Sign New Gas Pipeline Deal
Von der Leyen's Plane Hit by Suspected Russian GPS Interference in an Incident Believed to Be Caused by Russia or by Pro-Peace or by Anti-Corruption European Activists
China's Robotics Industry Fuels Export Surge
Suntory Chairman Resigns After Police Probe
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record
UK Fintechs Explore Buying US Banks
Greece Suspends 5% of Schools as Birth Rate Drops
Apollo to Launch $5 Billion Sports Investment Vehicle
Bolsonaro Trial Nears Close Amid US-Brazil Tension
European Banks Push for Lower Cross-Border Barriers
Poland's Offshore Wind Sector Attracts Investors
Budapest Central European Fashion Week Kicks Off
U.S. Celebrates Labor Day
Hungarian National Team Captain Scores Epic Goal
EU is getting aggressive: Four AfD Candidates Die Unexpectedly Ahead of North Rhine-Westphalia Local Elections
Japanese Customer Sways from VW to BYD after “Unbelievable” Test Drive amid Dealership Expansion
Nestlé Removes CEO Laurent Freixe Following Undisclosed Relationship with Subordinate
Pickles are the latest craze among Generation Z in the United States.
Giuliani Seriously Injured in Accident – Trump to Award Him the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Deadline Day Delivers Record £125m Isak Move and Donnarumma to City
Nvidia Reveals: Two Mystery Customers Account for About 40% of Revenue
Woody Allen: "I Would Be Happy to Direct Trump Again in a Film"
Lula and Putin Hold Strategic BRICS Discussions Ahead of Trump–Putin Summit
White House Eyes Budapest for Peace Talks
Cave Diving Beneath the Streets of Budapest
Another American Restaurant Chain Opens in Budapest
Hungarian Opposition Politician Supports Ukrainian Commander
Opposition Leader Threatens Media Outlets
American Airlines Adds New Flights to Budapest
F1 Hungarian Grand Prix Wraps Up
WhatsApp is rolling out a feature that looks a lot like Telegram.
U.S. Trade Representative says Washington still negotiating trade deals after court rules tariffs illegal
Von der Leyen says Europe drawing up 'precise' plans to send troops to Ukraine
Kremlin accuses Europe of hindering Trump’s peace efforts in Ukraine
×