The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced that Hong Kong residents will be granted extended visa rights in response to the push from China to impose national security laws in Hong Kong. It offers a “path to citizenship” for the former British colony’s British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders. The announcement has led to a sharp increase in the number of people in Hong Kong applying for renewals of BNO passports.
Mr Raab said: “If China continues on this path and implements this legislation, we will change that status. remove the six-month limit and allow BNO passport holders to come to the UK and apply to work and study for extendable periods.”
What is the British Nationals Overseas Passport?
The British Nationals Overseas passport was offered to Hong Kong residents before Britain returned the territory to China in 1997. BNO passports holders can visit the UK for six months but there is not an automatic right to live and work here. The move comes short of offering full citizenship to residents of Hong Kong, but offers an easier route towards British citizenship.
Beijing Rejects International Criticism
Authorities in Beijing have rejected criticism of the legislation. They claim it will tackle sedition, terrorism and foreign interference. They insist that city’s autonomy will remain under the “one country, two systems” regime.
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