Britain’s concern for the welfare of the Hong Kong people in light of the national security law is hypocritical and politically driven. British National (Overseas) passport holders were ignored all these years, but all of a sudden when political mileage seems at hand, Britain has turned kind.
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I agree with Ringo Yee and David Paterson’s assessment that the offer to help Hongkongers to emigrate is scaremongering against China, and that not many are likely to take up the offer (“Stop scaremongering and walk the talk on security law effects”, July 27). To succeed in convincing a significant number of Hongkongers to move, I suggest some additional measures to the British leadership.
As a start, they should provide automatic citizenship to all BN(O) passport holders. In addition, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs can equalise taxes for those who move to the United Kingdom to Hong Kong tax rates – here we pay about 17 per cent tax on income. We are also not accustomed to paying tax on bank interest, dividends, capital gains or inheritance, and so waiving such tax for the first few years could be considered.
Other useful measures could include subsidised education for children of immigrants in international schools so they feel culturally comfortable and settle down more easily in their new environment. In terms of infrastructure, Hong Kong residents are used to very high-speed internet. The recent destruction of 5G internet towers in the UK in the belief they spread Covid-19 may result in disappointing connectivity. We hope this is resolved soon.
Covid-19 continues to be an issue. Hopefully the Hong Kong immigrants are offered rapid testing and hospitalisation if necessary. This is sorely lacking in the UK, if reports are to be believed.
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UK offers Hongkongers with BN(O) passports path to citizenship after new national security law
UK offers Hongkongers with BN(O) passports path to citizenship after new national security law
Measures such as these are likely to inspire more enthusiasm for migration and help fulfil Britain’s aspiration to be the 21st century global messiah for the oppressed, helping wash away the colonial sins of the last two centuries.
