HONG KONG – China announced on Friday that it would no longer recognize certain British travel documents, in retaliation for Britain’s decision last year to grant potentially millions of Hong Kong residents visas and eventually a path to citizenship.
The announcement, made hours after Britain announced a formal launch date for its new visa program, was the latest increase in tensions between the two countries over the fate of Hong Kong, a former British colony that returned to Chinese control in 1997. has.
After Beijing introduced a national security law on Hong Kong last summer that gave the authorities comprehensive powers to curb disagreement, Britain accused China of violating its promise to grant Hong Kong 50 years of semi-autonomy. The British government said in June that it would build a special visa pad for holders of British national (overseas) passports, a unique category created for Hong Kongers before the 1997 transfer of power.
Under the new rules, Hong Kong residents who applied for BN (O) status before handing over would be eligible for a special visa that allows them to live, work or study in the UK for up to five years; after an additional year they would then be allowed to apply for citizenship.
The British government estimated that there were 2.9 million BN (O) citizens in Hong Kong, along with 2.3 million dependents who would be eligible to move with them, although it was unclear how many residents would actually want to emigrate. . The government predicted that between 123 000 and 15 3700 people would use the new road in the first year. Not all BN (O) citizens have BN (O) passports, but they can apply for them.
“We have honored our deep ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong, and we have stood up for freedom and autonomy,” Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement on Friday, adding that applications for the new path would open on 31 January.
Britain’s plan fueled Beijing, which quickly warned of possible retaliation. Chinese government officials made it clear on Friday that they saw the new visa rules as a direct challenge to their sovereignty.
Zhao Lijian, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told a news conference that the plan was an attempt to turn Hong Kong residents into second-class British citizens, according to a note from his remarks by CCTV, China’s state broadcaster.
China will stop recognizing BN (O) passports as valid travel or identification documents on January 31, Mr. Zhao said, adding that China “reserves the right to take further steps.”
It was not immediately clear whether the announcement was more symbolic or substantive. BN (O) passport holders may also hold Hong Kong passports or other foreign passports, which are not affected by the measure.
Some pro-Beijing officials have tried to close such loopholes. Regina Ip, a lawmaker in Hong Kong, proposed earlier this month that the area deny right of abode to residents with dual citizenship. Hong Kong CEO Carrie Lam said there were no such plans in the pipeline.
Claire Fu contributed research from Beijing. Elian Peltier contributed reporting from London.