China and UK clash over Hong Kong law changes

THE UK and China have clashed over the situation in Hong Kong after Boris Johnson hit out at Beijing over the proposed national security law.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused the UK of a “Cold War mindset” and “colonial mentality” over its approach to Hong Kong.

He reiterated Bejing’s stance that the agreement with the UK over the future of Hong Kong – the Sino-British Joint Declaration – was essentially null and void.

But Downing Street insisted the treaty, which was designed to smooth the transition from British rule in 1997 and guarantee a degree of autonomy, remained in force.

It said the national security legislation expected to be imposed by Beijing was in “direct conflict” with the agreement.

Boris Johnson used an article in the Times and Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post to restate the UK’s offer to allow almost three million of the region’s inhabitants the opportunity to come to Britain if Beijing imposed the national security law.

He said the measure would curtail Hong Kong’s freedoms and “dramatically erode its autonomy”.

If China chooses to go ahead with its changes for the island, the PM said he would effectively upgrade the status of British National (Overseas) passports, which 350,000 people in Hong Kong hold and 2.5m are eligible to apply for, to grant immigration rights beyond the current sixmonth limit.

Mr Johnson added: “Many people in Hong Kong fear their way of life, which China pledged to uphold, is under threat.”