CHINA IN ‘SERIOUS BREACH’ OF PACT; UK PM CONFIRMS CITIZENSHIP ROUTE

London, July 1: Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday held China in “clear and serious breach” of the Sino-British agreement under which Hong Kong had been handed over to the Chinese authorities and confirmed that a citizenship route will now be offered to Hong Kong’s British National (Overseas) passport holders.

Addressing his weekly Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Johnson said China’s new National Security Law is a threat to the rights and freedom of the region and in direct conflict with Hong Kong Basic Law. “We stand for rules and obligations and we think that is the soundest basis of our international ties. The enactment of this National Security Law constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration. It violates Hong Kong’s autonomy and is in direct conflict with Hong Kong Basic Law,” he told MPs.

“The law also threatens the freedoms protected by the Joint Declaration. We made clear that if China continued down this path, we would introduce a new route for those with BNO status to enter the UK, granting them limited leave to live and work in the UK and thereafter to apply for citizenship. And, that is precisely what we will do now,” he said.