HUI OFFERS CLARITY ON MIGRANTS’ PENSIONS
Treasury chief tells visiting British minister that BN(O) passports are not recognised as proof of identity for purposes of withdrawing MPF early
Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu has told a visiting UK minister that British National (Overseas) passports are not recognised as proof of identity, seeking to clear up confusion over whether emigrating residents can withdraw their pensions early.
Hui also touted the recent domestic national security law as “conducive” to creating a prosperous business environment when he met Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the United Kingdom’s minister for the Indo-Pacific, on Wednesday.
The pair also “discussed opportunities for cooperation between Hong Kong and the UK in the areas of finance and businesses”, his bureau wrote in a social media post.
“Secretary Hui looks forward to deepening cooperation between Hong Kong and British enterprises and investors in these areas, opening up greater opportunities for both markets,” it added.
The treasury chief was the first local official to meet Trevelyan during a tour that began last Friday and covers locations such as Beijing, Tianjin and Hong Kong.
The Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau said Hui also took the opportunity to clarify misunderstandings over whether Hong Kong people who moved to Britain could retrieve their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF).
“Secretary Hui stressed that the BN(O) passport is not recognised as any form of proof of identity in Hong Kong,” the social media post read.
“Therefore, MPF scheme members cannot rely on the BN(O) passport or its associated visas as evidence in support of an application for early withdrawal of MPF on the grounds of permanent departure.”
Britain announced the BN(O) visa migration pathway in July 2020, following Beijing’s imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong at the end of June that year.
Mainland and Hong Kong authorities in early 2021 declared they no longer recognised such passports as valid travel documents or proof of identity.
The Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Authority also said pension members could not use the documents or associated visas as evidence to apply for early withdrawal.
The changes have reportedly prompted some residents to fabricate evidence of employment and residence on the mainland, with Hong Kong authorities later arresting some insurance agents in connection with the case.
Hui told Trevelyan the city’s Safeguarding National Security Ordinance sought to better protect residents’ basic rights and freedoms, “which is conducive to creating a stable and prosperous business environment and promoting economic and financial development”.
“The law also legally protects human rights and freedoms that are enjoyed and applied to [Hong Kong] under the Basic Law and international covenants, allowing Hong Kong to attract more businesses and investments in a safer and more stable environment,” his bureau said.
Secretary Hui stressed that the BN(O) passport is not recognised as any form of proof of identity BUREAU’S SOCIAL MEDIA POST
He also used the meeting to share the latest details on Hong Kong’s economic situation and recent financial market developments, with the pair discussing opportunities for cooperation between the city and the UK in terms of finance and business.
“Secretary Hui looks forward to deepening cooperation between Hong Kong and British enterprises and investors in these areas, opening up greater opportunities for both markets,” the social media post read.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office also issued a statement after the meeting, saying Trevelyan had stressed the country’s historic ties to the city and its “support for rights and freedoms set out in the Sino-British Joint Declaration”.
The British minister had raised concerns over the deterioration of rights and freedoms brought on by the 2020 national security law, the prosecution of media mogul Jimmy Lai Chee-ying and the recent passage of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, it said.
She also shared concerns about the country’s Hong Kong community, touching on topics such as city police’s decision to impose bounties on fugitives.