The United Kingdom revealed the details of its plan to offer approximately three million people in Hong Kong a route to citizenship in an offer that Interior Minister Priti Patel described as “very generous” and China condemned as a violation of the international law and interference in its internal affairs.
In a briefing paper released Wednesday, Patel said people with British nationality (abroad) or BNO, a type of nationality created when Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997, could apply for the program starting in January of next year. .
They will not have to meet skills tests or minimum income requirements and may bring their dependents, including those who do not have BNO status.
Patel said BNO status “recognized the special and lasting ties the UK has with these people as a result of our role in Hong Kong prior to 1997.”
Referring to China’s imposition of a new National Security Law in Hong Kong earlier this month, he added: “Now that China, through its actions, has changed the circumstances in which the citizens of BN (O) find themselves, it is correct that we change the rights that are linked to the BN (O) state. ”
The newspaper prompted a swift condemnation from the Chinese embassy in London, which said the move amounted to interference in China’s internal affairs and that it would require effective countermeasures.
“The Chinese side urges the UK side to acknowledge the fact that Hong Kong is part of China, to have a correct and objective understanding of the Hong Kong National Security Law, to immediately correct its mistakes and to stop interfering in Hong Kong affairs, which are Chinese affairs, internal affairs, “an embassy spokesman said in a statement posted on the embassy website. “Such interference will trigger the foot.”
‘Unique obligations’
Hong Kong was a British colony for over 100 years until it returned to Chinese rule under the so-called “one country, two systems” framework, which gave the territory substantial autonomy and guaranteed the people of the territory rights and freedoms unknown in the continent for at least 50 years.
The United Kingdom has said that the security law runs counter to the promises made in the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration.
The policy statement said the changes in migration for Hong Kong people were a reflection of Britain’s “unprecedented circumstances” on the territory and Britain’s “unique obligations” for those with BN (O) status.
Those who apply will obtain a visa for five years, after which, as long as they have supported themselves financially and have not committed any crime, they can apply for permanent residence and, after one more year, citizenship. They will not need to meet any income requirements, have a job prior to arrival, or seek additional work or study permits.
However, they will still have to pay the visa, the fee has not yet been decided, as well as all subsequent applications for settlement and citizenship, and they will not be eligible for any social security payments.
The policy statement said it was also open to accepting those who need to travel before January.
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