UK offers citizenship path for nearly 3 million Hong Kongers.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to provide a path to British citizenship for three million Hong Kongers, as China moves to impose a far-reaching security law.
In an article in the South China Morning Post, Johnson said the law “would curtail (Hong Kong’s) freedoms and dramatically erode its autonomy.”
Should it come to pass, the United Kingdom will “uphold our profound ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong,” by changing immigration laws and allowing Hong Kongers to live and work in the UK.
The British response has infuriated the Chinese government who accuse London of breaching its treaty obligations.
“All Chinese compatriots residing in Hong Kong are Chinese nationals, whether or not they are holders of the British Dependent Territories Citizens passport or the British National (Overseas) passport,” deputy director of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zhao Lijian said last week.
“China reserves the right to take corresponding measures.”
The new law bans treason, subversion and sedition in Hong Kong and follows months of anti-government demonstrations last year.
However, Chinese officials claim the law is misunderstood and that its purpose is to target “terrorists” in the city.
Last month, Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary, Matthew Cheung, said that 99.99% of the Hong Kong population will not be affected by the new law.
Elsewhere in the world, US President Donald Trump warned Beijing that the United States will “revoke Hong Kong’s preferential treatment as a separate customs and travel territory from the rest of China,” should the law be passed.
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