The UK government could offer British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to UK citizenship if China continues to impose itself on the state.
China’s parliament yesterday approved new national security legislation that will make it a crime to undermine Beijing’s authority in the territory. Opponents claim that the new laws may be used to permanently undermine the “one country two systems” structure that gives Hong Kong autonomy from the Chinese mainland.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Home Secretary Priti Patel said on Twitter she was “deeply concerned at China’s proposals” and would “explore options for a path to citizenship for BNO passport holders” with the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.
The “UK will continue to defend the rights & freedoms of the people of Hong Kong”, Patel wrote. Raab later added that, if China’s security proposals were confirmed, the UK would extend the six-month limit on BNO visitors and “provide a pathway to future citizenship”.
China has rejected foreign criticism of the proposed law, and says it could take “countermeasures” against the UK, reports the BBC.
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said: “All such BNO passport holders are Chinese nationals and if the UK insists on changing this practice it will not only violate its own stance but also international law.”
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutionalSpeed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for riflesSpeed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
August 20 editorial cartoonsCartoons Wednesday's political cartoons include NATO leadership, Putin's views on mail-in voting, and Donald Trump's National Guard deployments
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designationThe Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across SyriaTHE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weaponsThe Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarrayIn the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
