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Breaking: China will 'no longer recognise' UK-issued BNO passport for Hong Kongers -- @AFP
This is a big development. Back in July China warned it might make this move.
Officials suggested it might mean those with BN(O) would be unable to travel to mainland China.
BUT... it's unclear in practical terms what this all means... https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1195445.shtml
Officials suggested it might mean those with BN(O) would be unable to travel to mainland China.
BUT... it's unclear in practical terms what this all means... https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1195445.shtml
Firstly, does China know which HKers have BN(O) and which ones don't?
HKers don't use BN(O)s to enter China. They would use their HK passports for that.
HKers don't use BN(O)s to enter China. They would use their HK passports for that.
Equally, they don't use BN(O)s to leave HK.
When you go through immigration at the airport, you can use your HKID or Hong Kong passport.
The only time you might use BN(O) is on arrival in UK -- or other countries that accept BN(O) as travel documents.
When you go through immigration at the airport, you can use your HKID or Hong Kong passport.
The only time you might use BN(O) is on arrival in UK -- or other countries that accept BN(O) as travel documents.
Symbolically, however, it's a big move.
It makes true on Beijing's threat to respond to UK's pathway to citizenship visa with some sort of reciprocal measure.
UK will see it as another breach of joint declaration. Beijing argues UK has breached that already with extended visa
It makes true on Beijing's threat to respond to UK's pathway to citizenship visa with some sort of reciprocal measure.
UK will see it as another breach of joint declaration. Beijing argues UK has breached that already with extended visa
China's MOFA today also said it "reserves the right to take further actions" over UK offer to grant extended visas.
That raises the prospect of whether authorities may try to stop HKers taking up the offer -- something many HKers we've spoken to have voiced fears of.
That raises the prospect of whether authorities may try to stop HKers taking up the offer -- something many HKers we've spoken to have voiced fears of.
Hong Kongers with BN(O) -- and their dependents -- will be able to apply for pathway to citizenship visas from Sunday.
It will grant them working rights for five years, after that they can apply for citizenship.
More details here: https://news.yahoo.com/uk-says-upholding-freedom-autonomy-000105847.html
It will grant them working rights for five years, after that they can apply for citizenship.
More details here: https://news.yahoo.com/uk-says-upholding-freedom-autonomy-000105847.html
Here's the full quote from China's MFA spokesman Zhao Lijian (translation our own)
Statement from HK govt says BN(O) "cannot be used for immigration clearance & will not be recognised as any form of proof of identity".
However as stated above, few HKers use it that way. So it's still not clear if this has real impact or largely symbolic
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202101/29/P2021012900763.htm
However as stated above, few HKers use it that way. So it's still not clear if this has real impact or largely symbolic
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202101/29/P2021012900763.htm
Here's the nuts and bolts.
"It's a strong message sent to the UK and other countries not to interfere into Hong Kong affairs, but in practical terms, I don't think people would be intimidated into not applying," Willie Lam, at Hong Kong's Centre for China Studies, told @AFP. https://sg.news.yahoo.com/china-no-longer-recognise-uk-093947662.html
Most damningly its just a "so-called" document now https://twitter.com/ofarry/status/1355137246068830222
