Some 88,000 Hong Kongers have applied to stay in Britain, under new visas that open the door to citizenship, the British government announced in publishing a report condemning China’s crackdown on dissent in its former colony.
In January, Britain opened a new visa process for more than 5 million Hong Kong citizens, in response to a national security law imposed by Beijing in June 2020, which served to silence opposition in Hong Kong after the 2019 protests.
London considers this law a violation of promises made by Beijing to defend Hong Kong’s freedom and autonomy after returning to China in 1997. “At the end of September, 88,000 people applied for visas under this programme”, British Foreign Secretary said. Liz Truss, Tuesday (14/12/2021).
Applicants must have a British Overseas Passport, which is issued to Hong Kong residents born before the colony returned to China in 1997 and their minor children. The UK government expects nearly 154,000 petitions in the first year of the scheme, and 322,000 in the first five years overall. (afp)
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