UK mulls over changes for Hong Kong citizens

[Flashback]

UK to change immigration rules for Hong Kong citizens if China passes law - BBC News

Britain will change its immigration rules for Hong Kong citizens if China passes a new law, the PM says.

www.bbc.co.uk

The UK is looking at expanding the privileges for residents of HKG, depending on what happens with the upcoming elections. As a former stronghold for the poms, it's good to see they've not completely abandoned them since they've left.

 

[tomlee1986]

actually these are proposals - and it is of course subjected to change - and the proposals will get the ire of the Chinese government (expect more trouble on the horizon)

 

[Flashback]

actually these are proposals - and it is of course subjected to change - and the proposals will get the ire of the Chinese government (expect more trouble on the horizon)

Indeed, hence "the UK is looking at expanding", not "the UK is expanding".

It just goes to show what a dire situation HKG is currently in, or might end up in.

 

[tomlee1986]

Indeed, hence "the UK is looking at expanding", not "the UK is expanding".

It just goes to show what a dire situation HKG is currently in, or might end up in.

this situation is already dire as we speak, any moves by the west is seen as aggression by the CCP of China.. I know this as I am Chinese origin

 

[Flashback]

Sounds like a similar view to that of @CityRail.

 

[tomlee1986]

Sounds like a similar view to that of @CityRail.

After reading @CityRail's reply at another thread... I see his point of view very clearly that the CCP wants to do anything to control the local parliament - even resorting to unethical means

 

[kamchatsky]

To be honest I always think UK should have given HK residents full UK citizenship during SIno-British Joint Declaration. Those days were long gone.

Good to see though they are thinking of changing BNO holders to allow them to stay in UK.

The only issue is that BNO cannot be passed to children, and it is the children and young adults which will be impacted by the new HK National Security Bill the most.

Ideally they should change BNO holders to full UK passport which allow children to get UK citizenship by descent. But that is probably a big ask.

 

[CityRail]

After reading @CityRail's reply at another thread... I see his point of view very clearly that the CCP wants to do anything to control the local parliament - even resorting to unethical means

Yes that's right. The Chinese Government desperately controls the parliament in Hong Kong to be pro-Peking so that Chinese interests may be protected in Hong Kong.

Unfortunately this is in clash of the interests of the Western Countries, in particular the US, and that's why we see the US Government, as well as the west are supporting the protests here in Hong Kong.

I think Hong Kong is now in a critical time where they are trying to balance the interests of the grown-up China and the well-established West, if this is not getting any compromises, we are going to see more protests like those in the US here in Hong Kong for the long term.

 

[kamchatsky]

UK is already talking with the 5 eyes countries (inc Australia) for residency for HKers:

UK may ask Australia to give residency to fleeing British Hong Kong residents

The UK has asked Australia to consider sharing the load and accept Hong Kongers in the event of a mass exodus over Chinese suppression.

www.smh.com.au

 

[tomlee1986]

Yes that's right. The Chinese Government desperately controls the parliament in Hong Kong to be pro-Peking so that Chinese interests may be protected in Hong Kong.

Unfortunately this is in clash of the interests of the Western Countries, in particular the US, and that's why we see the US Government, as well as the west are supporting the protests here in Hong Kong.

I think Hong Kong is now in a critical time where they are trying to balance the interests of the grown-up China and the well-established West, if this is not getting any compromises, we are going to see more protests like those in the US here in Hong Kong for the long term.

If you are thinking of compromises between the two parties... you got to be dreaming in lala land! the CCP would NEVER deal with what they call "foreign influences" - therefore the US and western governments needed to help local HKers... and as to the 5 eyes... look at Huawei situation is the key indicator on what might happen in the future

Post automatically merged: Jun 3, 2020

UK is already talking with the 5 eyes countries (inc Australia) for residency for HKers:

UK may ask Australia to give residency to fleeing British Hong Kong residents

The UK has asked Australia to consider sharing the load and accept Hong Kongers in the event of a mass exodus over Chinese suppression.

www.smh.com.au

The issue is whether Scott Morrison will allow this to happen because he did announce a reduction of migration numbers this year

 

[kamchatsky]

If you are thinking of compromises between the two parties... you got to be dreaming in lala land! the CCP would NEVER deal with what they call "foreign influences" - therefore the US and western governments needed to help local HKers... and as to the 5 eyes... look at Huawei situation is the key indicator on what might happen in the future

Post automatically merged: Jun 3, 2020

The issue is whether Scott Morrison will allow this to happen because he did announce a reduction of migration numbers this year

My guess is that the overall migration number would decrease but allowing higher number of HKers with BNO passport (and their children) to migrate to Australia. The one with HKSAR passport won't get such privilege. They would still need to pass the standard test and due diligence required.

Remember with COVID 19 it is expected that migration number would be significantly decreased this year and next. In many ways it is perfect timing to increase the HK migration numbers.

 

[tomlee1986]

My guess is that the overall migration number would decrease but allowing higher number of HKers with BNO passport (and their children) to migrate to Australia. The one with HKSAR passport won't get such privilege. They would still need to pass the standard test and due diligence required.

Remember with COVID 19 it is expected that migration number would be significantly decreased this year and next. In many ways it is perfect timing to increase the HK migration numbers.

To be honest.. I hope as many HKers are saved as possible from the hands of CCP... I hope Australia will do what is right for them, as I am from HK myself, and always grateful for the opportunity for living in this lucky country called Australia!

 

[kamchatsky]

To be honest.. I hope as many HKers are saved as possible from the hands of CCP... I hope Australia will do what is right for them, as I am from HK myself, and always grateful for the opportunity for living in this lucky country called Australia!

Me too, I have an expired BNO myself. As an Australian citizen, I don't need such assistance but would be happy to see more HKers living in Australia.

Ideally UK just change the law to grant BNO holders full UK rights and be done with it. But with such a large number of people involved (2.9 million according to UK Home Office) it may be much harder to pass through parliament:

Media factsheet: Hong Kong BN(O) Visa route – Home Office in the media

News and updates from Home Office Media

homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk

 

[tomlee1986]

Me too, I have an expired BNO myself. As an Australian citizen, I don't need such assistance but would be happy to see more HKers living in Australia.

Ideally UK just change the law to grant BNO holders full UK rights and be done with it. But with such a large number of people involved (2.9 million according to UK Home Office) it may be much harder to pass through parliament:

Media factsheet: Hong Kong BN(O) Visa route – Home Office in the media

News and updates from Home Office Media

homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk

I think the biggest issue is Dominic Raab and Boris Johnson is kneeling and kowtowing to CCP still.. thinking they still have money!

 

[Isochronous]

They could also reopen applications for BNOs so anyone who was eligible to apply before 1 July 1997 but didn't do so can apply. Must be subject to an express statutory declaration under penalty of perjury that the individual is not and has never been a CCP member.

Maybe they could even revive the 'New Hong Kong' proposal to build a new city near Belfast or on the Scottish west coast with the same free port, low tax setup to create a new major global city.

 

[tomlee1986]

The BNO issue was a big sore point to the Chinese government at the time before 1997, and it will be even more sore if they reopen such scheme now... but I agree it MUST be done NOW to save as many HKers from Beijing ASAP!

 

[kelvedon]

The British Prime Minister has said Britain will offer BNO passport holders 12 months visa free residency , and a pathway to full citizenship if the CCP imposes the new security laws.
This would allow the 2.6 million HK residence who are eligible for a BNO an option to leave HK . Not sure how The CCP are going to react to this ?

UK to change immigration rules for Hong Kong citizens if China passes law

Britain will change its immigration rules for Hong Kong citizens if China passes a new law, the PM says.

www.bbc.com

 

[tomlee1986]

The British Prime Minister has said Britain will offer BNO passport holders 12 months visa free residency , and a pathway to full citizenship if the CCP imposes the new security laws.
This would allow the 2.6 million HK residence who are eligible for a BNO an option to leave HK . Not sure how The CCP are going to react to this ?

UK to change immigration rules for Hong Kong citizens if China passes law

Britain will change its immigration rules for Hong Kong citizens if China passes a new law, the PM says.

www.bbc.com

This option is good but CCP is already complaining... wonder what will happen if it is handing out British citizenship! It won’t be pretty

 

[GoldCanyon340]

A real, actual and positive enhancement from the Johnson government

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The only issue is that BNO cannot be passed to children, and it is the children and young adults which will be impacted by the new HK National Security Bill the most.

Agree. But apparently China is worried about a 'high value' exodus - the big wealth earners and generators. If they leave the city could lose its financial status and benefits it brings to China.