On Friday (Jan. 29), a spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (pictured) maintained the British position in response to Beijing no longer recognizing the BNO special British passport, with the spokesman saying that Britain would have no other choice in its treatment of the people of Hong Kong
The British government announced on January 29 that the BNO visa channel for Hong Kong people officially opened from January 31, and the Chinese Communist Party once again jumped on the bandwagon, saying it would no longer recognize the BNO passport. In response, the British government responded forcefully, saying that the British position on the issue would not waver.
On Friday (Jan. 29), a spokesman for Prime Minister Boris Johnson maintained the British position in response to Beijing’s decision not to recognize the BNO’s special British passport.
The spokesman said, “We are clear that we will not choose any other way when it comes to Hong Kong.”
“People with British National Overseas Passport BNO status can now choose to come to live, work and study in the UK and, in this case, BNO holders and their families can enter the UK using travel documents other than BNO passports and visas.” A spokesman said.
“Travel documents other than BNO passports and visas” refers to Hong Kong passports, Hong Kong permanent residence permits, etc. If the Hong Kong authorities refuse to accept BNO passports, Hong Kong residents can use other valid identity documents they have to travel to the UK and then use their BNO passports when they arrive. This is arguably a response by the British government to help Hong Kong residents travel to the UK.
The Wall Street Journal also reported Friday that the fact that the Chinese Communist Party “does not recognize” BNO passports is symbolic and of little substance, and will have limited impact on BNO passport holders, as Hong Kong residents who travel to the mainland will only need to have a Hong Kong ID card and a “Home Visit Permit” issued by the Chinese authorities. “(i.e. “Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents”).
The BNO is a British National (Overseas) Passport (BNO), and Hong Kong people with BNO passports and their close relatives’ dependents are eligible to apply for the new visa, which will entitle them to stay, go to school and work in the U.K. They can apply for permanent resident status after five years, and apply for British citizenship 12 months after obtaining settled status.
For its part, the Communist Party’s Foreign Ministry threatened on Friday that BNO passport holders would not be able to use the passport as a travel document and proof of identity in China as of Jan. 31.
Britain’s new BNO visa rules pave the way for some 2.9 million Hong Kong citizens, and about 2.3 million of their immediate Family members, to immigrate to Britain. Hong Kong has a total of about 7.5 million residents. If all these people emigrate to the UK, there will be an outflow of £3 billion, which will hit the Hong Kong economy hard. The British side estimates that as many as 322,400 Hong Kong people could leave Hong Kong through this policy.
According to the British government, from Jan. 31, Hong Kong applicants eligible for the BNO can apply online, after which they will need to make an appointment to visit a visa application center. From Feb. 23, BNO-eligible holders who have a specific passport with biometrics attached to their eligibility can complete the application from home via a mobile App.
Last year, the Chinese Communist authorities imposed the so-called new National Security Law in Hong Kong, prompting widespread international condemnation. In recent times, the Hong Kong government has cooperated with the Chinese Communist Party by arresting a large number of democracy activists, triggering even more criticism from many countries. The UK announced the BNO program in July 2020, providing a political haven for some Hong Kong people.
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