UK will open citizenship for around 3 million residents from Hong Kong.
Image Credit: AFP/ Getty Images
In retaliation for the new security law, Boris Johnson said that he will open a pathway for 3 million Hong Kong British nationals passport holders to get citizenship in the UK. This move will allow these 3 million residents along with their families, to live and work in the UK.
In the House of Commons, the prime minister pointed out that China introduced the security law, defying the World. He told the Members of Parliament,
‘The enactment and imposition of this national security law constitutes a clear and serious breach of the Sino-British joint declaration’.
‘It violates Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and is in direct conflict with Hong Kong basic law’.
‘The law also threatens the freedoms and rights protected by the joint declaration’.
‘We made clear that if China continued down this path we would introduce a new route for those with British national overseas status to enter the UK, granting them limited right to remain with the ability to live and work in the UK and thereafter to apply for citizenship – and that is precisely what we will do now’.
The UK government will offer to each of these 3 million people, a 5 year period of limited rights. After this period, they may apply for settled status for the next 12 months, after which, they will be eligible for full UK citizenship.
There will be no ‘quotas or number’ imposed, Mr Raab said.
In general, the UK public is supportive in accepting citizens from Hong Kong into the UK, according to a recent poll conducted by the China Research group.
Share this:
What Now News 24 
UK has a big heart. With so much inhumanity and discrimination in the world, they are showing what kindness is. In America, our president is anti-immigrant in the land that once take pride as the land of migrants. In America, families are separated & place inholding areas just because they don’t have legal papers. Walls had been built at our Borders between U.S. and Mexico , but it’s the walls built inside people’s hearts that’s the saddest of all.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true , what you are saying. UK serves as an example to all countries in the world. You have also to think that UK is passing through a painful brexit process, they too have a crippling problem with covid19, and a lot of people are losing their jobs, yet they are ready to accept 3 million. Donald Trump unfortunately, is not mature to think the same way. I just hope he won’t get elected again. The world cannot withstand a leader like him again. He has spread too much hatred.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The very reason I told everyone I know , vote in November . We can’t expect change if we don’t participate in that change. Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person