Boris Johnson offers way out for threatened Hong Kong residents
Britain would have ‘no choice’ but to offer Hong Kong people of a route to UK citizenship if China stripped them of their freedom, Boris Johnson has warned.
Britain would not walk away from the people of Hong Kong and would have “no choice” but to offer them a route to UK citizenship if China stripped them of their freedom, Boris Johnson has warned.
The British Prime Minister has made offering the island’s residents “an alternative” to Chinese repression a matter of national honour in an escalation of the confrontation with Beijing.
Mr Johnson said the Chinese imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong would “dramatically erode its autonomy” and breach the terms of its treaty with Britain.
He would “willingly” implement one of the “biggest changes in our visa system in British history” to offer nearly three million Hong Kong residents extended visa-free access to Britain and the chance to obtain citizenship. “Britain would then have no choice but to uphold our profound ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong,” he wrote in The Times on Wednesday.
“If China imposes its national security law, the British government will change our immigration rules and allow any holder of these passports from Hong Kong to come to the UK for a renewable period of 12 months and be given further immigration rights, including the right to work, which could place them on a route to citizenship.
“If it proves necessary, the British government will take this step and take it willingly.
“Many people in Hong Kong fear their way of life, which China pledged to uphold, is under threat. If China proceeds to justify their fears, then Britain could not in good conscience shrug our shoulders and walk away; instead we will honour our obligations and provide an alternative.”
Australia and Canada are also among nations likely to woo tech-savvy Hongkongers.
The Times
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