UK presents USD 59 million to assist Hong Kong migrants quiet down

The British authorities stated Thursday it’s establishing a 43 million pound (USD 59 million) fund to assist migrants from Hong Kong settle within the nation as they escape rising political repression within the former colony. The provide extends to holders of British National (Overseas) passports who’ve been supplied particular visas, opening a path to work, residency and eventual citizenship to as much as 5 million of Hong Kong’s 7.4 million individuals.
The integration program will present funding to assist arrivals entry housing, schooling and jobs. Around 10 per cent of the funds will go towards establishing 12 “virtual welcome hubs” throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland to “coordinate support and give practical advice and assistance,” the British Consulate-General stated.
China has sharply criticized what it labels British abuse of the passports, saying it’s going to now not acknowledge them as journey paperwork or as a type of identification. Most residents additionally carry Hong Kong or different passports so it’s not clear what impact that may have. “The move delivers on the UK’s historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status in 1997,” the Consulate-General stated in a press release, referring to the yr Hong Kong was handed over to China.
“It provides them with a pathway to live in the UK should they choose to do so,” the consulate stated. It stated that Overseas Passport holders have had their rights and freedoms restricted by the nationwide safety legislation imposed by Beijing, and “it is right that we change the entitlements in the UK which are attached to their status.”
China imposed the sweeping laws on Hong Kong final yr following huge anti-government protests in 2019. and the authorities have used it to nearly finish political opposition and severely limit free speech. Changes to the electoral system have additionally closed off routes for political participation, with simply 20 of the 90 members of the longer term Legislative Council to be immediately elected. Beijing has additionally demanded that these operating in elections should show their loyalty to China and the Communist Party and threatens to prosecute anybody for statements thought to be unpatriotic, whether or not issued in Hong Kong or overseas.
Most opposition figures have both been jailed, intimidated into silence or fled overseas. Political gatherings have been damaged up by police and even artwork exhibitions have been criticized for selling opposition views. One distinguished opposition determine, Nathan Law, was granted refugee standing within the UK. “The fact that I am wanted under the National Security Law shows that I am exposed to severe political persecution and am unlikely to return to Hong Kong without risk,” Law tweeted.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian lashed out on the British determination, calling Law a prison suspect needed by the Hong Kong police. “We resolutely oppose any country, organization or individual harboring criminal elements in any way,” Zhao instructed reporters at a each day briefing. “This is gross interference in Hong Kong justice, a violation of international law and the basic principles of international relations, and also goes against the consistent British principle of the rule of law.”