Mixed reaction from Hong Kong expats to visa offer
Hong Kong expatriates living in Britain have welcomed London’s pledge of “a pathway to future citizenship” for millions of the territory’s residents after China imposed a controversial security law there.
But they warned this “message of hope” would not help many, including those born after Hong Kong’s 1997 return to Chinese rule and now aged over 18 — people at the forefront of protests against Beijing.
“It is helpful — it sends a strong message of hope to Hong Kongers, many of whom are waiting to be rescued from their city,” a 35-year-old financial analyst living in London, who asked to remain anonymous, said.
With relatives in Hong Kong, he is worried about their fate, especially those of university age.
“These guys won’t be helped directly but they are the ones who are more vulnerable
— they stopped their degrees to join the movement,” he said, referring to last year’s prodemocracy protests.
Beijing enacted the sweeping security law on June 30, banning acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
The UK said in response it would allow anyone with British National Overseas (BNO) status and their dependants to come to Britain.
They would be able to remain and work for five years, compared to the limit of six months, before being able to apply for citizenship.
More than 350,000 people have BNO passports, and the government estimates there are about 2.9 million eligible for the status in Hong Kong.
Britain created the BNO status ahead of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover, allowing its residents to apply for a form of British nationality and a BNO passport.