- China has threatened to no longer recognise British National Overseas (BNO) passports as valid travel documents for citizens of Hong Kong as U.K.-China tensions continue to simmer
- Hong Kong BNO holders can currently travel to the U.K. visa-free for six months, but do not have the automatic right to work or live there
- This week, the United Kingdom said it would create a pathway for citizenship for Hong Kong BNO holders in response to recent sedition laws introduced by the Chinese government over Hong Kong
- China has slammed the move, calling it a “flagrant violation” of Britain’s promises, international law, and principles of international relations
- U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel says her country is keeping its promises to the citizens of Hong Kong to ensure their autonomy and freedom of speech rights
China has threatened to no longer recognise British National Overseas (BNO) passports as valid travel documents for citizens of Hong Kong as U.K.-China tensions continue to simmer.
The threat comes in light of the U.K. Government’s decision to create an easier pathway to citizenship for Hong Kong BNO holders starting from January 2021.
China has openly and loudly opposed the decision, however, saying the move is a “flagrant violation” of Britain’s promises, international law, and principles of international relations.
What is a BNO?
Essentially, a BNO passport is a U.K. travel document that does not carry with it citizenship rights or the right of abode. BNO holders can travel to the U.K. visa-free for up to six months, but do not have the automatic rights to work or reside there or receive government benefits.
BNO holders cannot pass their rights on to their children.
Hong Kong used to be a British colony and BNOs were first issued when the U.K. gave the territory back to China in 1997. While only an estimated 300,000 Hongkongers currently hold a BNO, anyone born before 1997 is eligible to apply for one — meaning around three million people in the territory could make use of the new pathway to citizenship policy.
What’s changed?
This week, U.K. Home Secretary Priti Patel said Hong Kong BNO holders will be able to apply for a special visa in the country from January next year. What’s more, the right extends to the immediate descendants of BNO holders.
U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the country was also considering extending the six-month stay limit for BNO holders to increase their chances of gaining U.K. citizenship.
The move comes in response to the recent sedition laws introduced by Beijing to tighten China’s grip of control of Hong Kong. The Chinese government’s laws have been met with widespread criticism from other countries for its relinquishment of free speech and other human rights for Hong Kong citizens.
China’s response
China has slammed the move and vowed to take retaliatory measures.
The Chinese Embassy in the U.K. released a statement yesterday reminding the of how it “explicitly pledged” that BNO passport holders will not have the right of abode in the U.K.
“The UK has now, in total disregard of the strong opposition and repeated representations of the Chinese side, offered a route for BNO passport holders to the right of abode and application for citizenship in the U.K.,” the Embassy spokesperson said.
“The Chinese side urges the British side to recognise the reality that Hong Kong has returned to China, to look at the Hong Kong national security law objectively and immediately correct its mistakes,” the Embassy said.
China is now mulling the idea of no longer recognising BNOs as valid forms of travel for citizens of Hong Kong.
Secretary Patel argued, however, that the move is not promise-breaking but promise-keeping to the people of Hong Kong. The U.K. returned the territory to China under strict conditions, including the ongoing autonomy of Hong Kong and freedom of speech. Given the new Chinese laws put these rights under threat, the British Government is acting on its obligations to the people of its former colony.