The UK offers Hong Kong residents visa rights extension, establishing a path for their British citizenship after China imposed a national security law in the city.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Wednesday that the UK is offering 3 million Hong Kong residents a chance for British citizenship after the new national security legislation was passed in the city.
Raab described the passage of the national security law “grave and deeply disturbing.”
“The enactment and imposition of this national security law constitute a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration,” UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Parliament on Wednesday.
The Sino-British Joint Declaration enacted by then Chinese Premier Zhao Ziyang and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher establishes Hong Kong’s autonomy under the “one country, two systems” framework. The city remained a British colony for over 150 years before being returned to China in 1997.
The new national security law generates concerns about oversight from Beijing and waning rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.
The UK has come up with measures that extend the visa rights of BN(O) passport holders, allowing them to live in the UK for five years with the opportunity to work or study. This setup is greater than the six months previously permitted for them.
Based on the U.K. government website, the passport holders can apply for settled status and citizenship after five years.
“This is a special, bespoke, set of arrangements developed for the unique circumstances we face and in light of our historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong,” said Raab in Parliament.
“We want a positive relationship with China. But, we will not look the other way on Hong Kong, and we will not duck our historic responsibilities to its people,” he noted.
The Australia, US, and Taiwan want to assist those who want to leave Hong Kong.
In the US, a bipartisan bill entitled “Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act” would allow Hong Kongers to get priority refugee status. The bill, presented to both chambers of Congress this week, would help individuals who fear political persecution from China to swiftly leave the city.
Australia’s federal cabinet will study proposals on how to offer assistance to Hong Kongers looking to move Down Under, The Australian reported.
Meanwhile, Taiwan formed an office to help resettle fleeing Hong Kongers.
World's reaction
Many other countries have previously expressed their views on the national security law in Hong Kong imposed by China. Some countries also extended assistance.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that “China is modelling Hong Kong after itself.” This statement came after Beijing approved a national security law for Hong Kong.
Pompeo told Congress that Hong Kong was no longer autonomous from China. The approval of the national security law for Hong Kong could damage the trade relationship of Hong Kong with the US.
President Donald Trump himself said the US will end its special treatment of Hong Kong.
“China claims it is protecting national security, but the truth is that Hong Kong was secure and prosperous as a free society. Beijing’s decision extends the reach of China’s security apparatus into what was once a bastion of liberty,” said Trump.
In a joint statement, the US, UK, Australia, and Canada said they have “deep concern” regarding the national security law imposed on Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong has flourished as a bastion of freedom. The international community has a significant and long-standing stake in Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability,” it said.
