Hong Kong residents can apply from Sunday for a brand new visa providing them a possibility to turn into British residents after Beijing’s imposition of a nationwide safety regulation within the Asian monetary hub final 12 months.
The transfer comes as China and Hong Kong have stated they’ll now not recognise the British National Overseas (BNO) passport as a legitimate journey doc from Sunday, Jan. 31.
Britain and China have been arguing for months about what London and Washington say is an try and silence dissent in Hong Kong after pro-democracy protests in 2019 and 2020.
Britain says it’s fulfilling a historic and ethical dedication to Hong Kong individuals after Beijing imposed the safety regulation on the semi-autonomous metropolis that Britain says breaches the phrases of agreements underneath which the colony was handed again to China in 1997.
The UK authorities forecasts the brand new visa might appeal to greater than 300,000 individuals and their dependants to Britain. Beijing stated it might make them second-class residents.
The scheme, which was first introduced final 12 months, permits these with BNO standing to reside, examine and work in Britain for 5 years and finally apply for citizenship.
BNO is a particular standing created underneath British regulation in 1987 that particularly pertains to Hong Kong.
China says the West’s views on its actions over Hong Kong are clouded by misinformation and an imperial handover.
Anson Law, a 25 12 months outdated who works in gross sales, stated he would think about using his BNO standing to maneuver to the UK though the financial system there was not nearly as good.
“I’s still better than Hong Kong. For example, for young people like us, we don’t know how to live or survive here.”
Law stated individuals have been nonetheless monitoring the scenario and didn’t see a big quantity instantly shifting.
Nicholas Muk, a 30 12 months outdated trainer who lived within the UK beforehand, stated he wouldn’t apply for a BNO visa.
“If people want to move to a foreign country and think the UK is safer than Hong Kong amid a pandemic, that’s their own decision.”
