China News Service, January 29. According to the press release of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government announced on January 29 that it would not recognize the British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport as a valid travel document and proof of identity, starting from January 31. , BNO passport cannot be used for entry and exit in Hong Kong, nor will it be recognized as any form of identification in Hong Kong.
The spokesperson of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government solemnly pointed out that the British government's move is obviously to use some Hong Kong people still holding BNO passports or status to make political hype, as an excuse to provide a new path for Hong Kong people to stay and naturalize in the UK.
Its hypocritical attitude can also be seen in the fact that the British government did not intend to give Hong Kong people the right of abode in the UK by changing laws or policies for a long time before the reunification. Since the introduction of the BNO passport, passport holders have been subject to entry and stay when travelling to the UK. Restrictions, not to work or study in the UK.
Hong Kong residents holding BNO passports or status should be aware of the political schemes of the British government.
The spokesperson emphasized that in addition to political purposes, the British side's actions will also earn a lot of its own economic benefits.
Britain is eager for talents and funds, and should not use the BNO passport initiative as a "political cover".
The spokesman stated that the Chinese and British governments had long agreed on how to deal with Hong Kong residents holding BNO passports, and exchanged memorandum confirmation in 1984.
In the memorandum, the British side explicitly promised not to grant Hong Kong Chinese citizens who hold BNO passports the right of abode in the UK.
The current practice of the British side has substantially changed the nature of the passport and fundamentally violated the British side's commitment in the memorandum.
The British breached their promises first, and it is only natural for China to take countermeasures against this.
China’s non-recognition of the BNO passport as a valid travel document does not violate China’s commitment in the memorandum and the interpretation of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on the implementation of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
The central government’s current position and policy regarding Britain’s breach of its commitments are diplomatic behavior and central authority. The SAR government will definitely cooperate fully with the specific measures required to implement relevant policies.
As the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China announced today that it will not recognize BNO passports as valid travel documents and proof of identity from January 31, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will take the following measures from January 31:
(1) British National (Overseas) passports cannot be used for entry and exit in Hong Kong, and relevant Hong Kong residents can continue to use their Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports or Hong Kong permanent identity cards for entry and exit in Hong Kong;
(2) The British National (Overseas) passport cannot be used as any form of identity proof in Hong Kong, and the relevant Hong Kong residents can continue to use their Hong Kong permanent resident identity cards as identity proof;
(3) When passengers board the flight to Hong Kong, the airline must require the relevant Hong Kong residents to present their Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports or Hong Kong permanent resident identity cards as proof;
(4) Non-Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents who do not hold other valid travel documents may apply for a Document of Identity for Visa Purposes from the Immigration Department for international travel.
The spokesman said that since July 1, 1997, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has issued Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports to Chinese Hong Kong permanent residents under the authorization of the Central Government.
As of December 2020, the Immigration Department has issued nearly 5.8 million HKSAR passports that are still valid.
At present, HKSAR passport holders can enjoy visa-free travel to 167 countries or regions. The SAR government will continue to strive for more countries or regions to grant HKSAR passport holders visa-free treatment to facilitate Hong Kong residents who need to travel. .