Why Britain’s citizenship offer is a favour to Hong Kong – and China
- Hongkongers have in the past sought foreign citizenship as an insurance policy
- The UK’s offer to almost half of Hong Kong is unlikely to give rise to a wave of migration. Conversely, it makes people more willing to stay in Hong Kong
After the Tiananmen crackdown, Hongkongers felt doomed. They flocked to secure foreign passports of all kinds. Many wanted to flee the city.
To regain people’s confidence, the business sector and government in Hong Kong then convinced Britain to grant citizenship to 50,000 Hong Kong civil servants and professionals. But many others were required to go through the immigration agencies; they paid a high price for what was essentially an insurance policy.
01:38
UK offers Hongkongers with BN(O) passports path to citizenship after new national security law
No one born after 1997 is entitled to a BN(O) passport, and it does not pass down through the generations. However, BN(O) passport holders can now remain in Britain with immediate dependants like spouses or civil partners, and children under the age of 18.
The British government has done Hong Kong residents a brilliant favour this time. Almost half of Hong Kong’s population are eligible for this offer of British residency rights. Many feel more settled, knowing Britain has opened an escape route.
In fact, this makes Hong Kong talent more willing to stay and work in Hong Kong: after all, the city is still one of the most prosperous economies in the world. Hence, a new wave of migration might not materialise any time soon.
This is quite ridiculous, given that not too long ago, when the British expressed concerns over China’s national security law for Hong Kong, the very same Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said Beijing was not legally bound to uphold the declaration.
02:34
China hits back at US after Pompeo says most of Beijing’s claims in South China Sea are illegal
Whether or not China’s response is mere political gesturing, the Chinese government should know well that Britain’s recent commitment to Hong Kong residents has paradoxically safeguarded Hong Kong’s economy and social stability.
Albert Cheng King-hon is a political commentator