Recently, Britain and many other countries have been critical of China for the imposition of security law in Hong Kong.
The UK has allowed Hong Kong residents to apply for a new visa. The move comes after China and Hong Kong have decided to revoke the status of the British National Overseas (BNO) passport as a valid travel document from Sunday, Jan 31st.
On the other hand, Britain has claimed that it is fulfilling a moral duty and commitment to Hong Kong people. After China has imposed the security law on the semi-autonomous state, the UK claims breaches the terms of the agreement under which the former colony handed back to China in 1997.
What’s the visa scheme?
The British government has estimated that this new visa scheme can draw almost 300,000 people. Beijing claims would make them second – class citizens. Moreover, this scheme, which proposed last year, will eventually allow citizenship subjects under the new law.
BNO is a special created under the British constitution in 1987 that specifically for Hong Kong. On the other hand, China claimed that the west’s ideologies and are misinformed and an imperial hangover. Thus, many citizens in Hong Kong are considering moving to the UK, neglecting the UK’s economic conditions at the moment.
Much heat has been exchanged by the UK and Beijing. As they’re claiming the moral high ground justifying their moves’ cause and motives. Hong Kong has been the financial hub for many years now. Liberties and autonomy for 50 years have been fruitful for Hong Kong while London argued it has a moral duty to protect its former colony’s interest. China has reacted with great fury to the visa offered by the UK.