London: Thousands of people have left their homes in the UK from Hong Kong after China-Hong Kong Updates enacted strict national security laws last summer. Some of them fear that they may be punished for supporting demonstrations demanding democracy and some say that China’s encroachment on their way of life and the freedom of citizens became unbearable Therefore, they are forced to settle abroad for a better future for their children. Many of these people have made up their minds to never return. A few days ago China has refused to recognize the overseas passport to Britain.
Freedom, fair elections, independence .. it was lost
Cindy, who arrived in London last week, said, “The things that matter to us are freedom of expression, fair elections, freedom, everything has been taken away.” This is no longer the Hong Kong we knew. ‘Hong Kong’s Wang, who arrived in Britain, said on condition of not disclosing her full name that she wanted to get out of Hong Kong as soon as possible, because she was afraid that Beijing would let her out Will stop.
Britain has made a big announcement for Hong Kong
Like Wang, the 39-year-old fan, who arrived in London, said, “I think if you know when to shut up, you won’t have trouble in Hong Kong, but I don’t want to do it.” I can say anything here .’Britain announced in July that it would open a special immigration route for 5 million Hong Kong people so that they could live, work and eventually settle here in the UK.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the proposal shows that Britain is honoring its ‘history of strong ties’ with Hong Kong. Hong Kong was formerly a British colony, but later came under China in 1997 with the agreement that its Western-style independence and political autonomy would remain intact.
Applications for ‘British National Overseas’ visas will be officially invited from Sunday, but many people have already reached Britain. Eligible Hong Kong residents can still come to Britain for six months, but from Sunday they can apply for the right to live and work in the country for five years. After this, they can apply to settle here and eventually gain British citizenship.
Why is Britain openly hostile to China over Hong Kong?
The UK government said that since July, around 7,000 people with ‘British National Overseas’ (BNO) status have reached the UK. Meanwhile, China has said that it will no longer recognize ‘British National Overseas’ passports as valid travel documents or identity cards. China’s statement came amid increasing tension in the two countries after Britain’s plan to grant citizenship to Hong Kong’s millions.
China implemented national security law in Hong Kong
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhao Lijian announced this effect on Friday. The announcement came hours after Britain’s announcement that Hong Kong people would start taking applications for BNO visas from Sunday. Under this scheme, 54 million Hong Kong people will be eligible to live and work in the UK for the next five years and after that, they can apply for citizenship. Significantly, there were several months of protests in Hong Kong over the demand for democracy, after which China implemented the new National Security Act there. Only after this, Britain talked about the plan to give citizenship to the people of Hong Kong.
