Daily Management Review

Britain prepared to offer path to citizenship to 3M Hong Kong residents


05/30/2020


Britain would extend the rights of 350,000 ‘British National Overseas’ passport holders.



In response to China’s push to impose its will over Hong Kong, a former British colony, Britain said, it is prepared to offer extended visa rights and a pathway to citizenship for almost 3 million Hong Kong residents.
 
The development comes in the wake of China’s parliament approving a decision to go forward with national security legislation for Hong Kong which diplomats, businesses and democracy activists fear will jeopardise Hong Kong’s semi-autonomous status and role as a global financial hub.
 
The United States, the European Union, Britain, Australia, and Canada have criticised the move.
 
On Thursday, Britain’s Foreign minister Dominic Raab had said, if Beijing goes ahead with the move, Britain would extend the rights of 350,000 ‘British National Overseas’ passport holders.
 
The next day, Britain’s interior ministry said, this policy would apply to all BNOs currently in Hong Kong.
“If China imposes this law, we will explore options to allow British Nationals Overseas to apply for leave to stay in the UK, including a path to citizenship,” said British Home Secretary Priti Patel in a statement. “We will continue to defend the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong.”
 
References:
reuters.com