The former colonial power reacted to the security law.
23 years after Hong Kong was returned to China, the former colonial powers of Great Britain and Beijing are in a clinch. In protest against the new security law, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has given Hong Kongers the prospect of easier naturalization – which in turn has angered China’s leadership.
“Hong Kong is part of China and Hong Kong’s affairs are China’s domestic affairs,” Liu Xiaoming, Chinese ambassador to London, said on Twitter. China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian also said on Thursday that Hong Kong residents are not allowed to reside in the UK. China has threatened Britain with sanctions: “The Chinese side strongly condemns this and reserves the right to have further replies,” said Lijian.
Johnson announced the naturalization offer about a month ago after the Hong Kong security law was approved by the Chinese People’s Congress. It provides that people with British National Overseas (BNO) status can obtain multi-year residence and work permits in the UK and later apply for a British passport. Around 350,000 Hong Kong citizens hold such a BNO ID. All those who were born during British colonial rule before 1 July 1997 are also entitled to the BNO passport. According to estimates, this would affect around three of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million inhabitants.
Hong Kong citizens feel increasingly insecure. With the Security Act, China’s security organs have far-reaching powers in the once autonomous special administrative zone. The law is aimed, among other things, against separatism, undermining state power and terrorism. In fact, the law significantly restricts rights such as freedom of expression and assembly.
What: SN-Dop, Dpa
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