[Explanation] On January 29, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Zhao Lijian announced that starting from January 31, China will no longer recognize the so-called BNO passport as a travel document and proof of identity, and reserves the right to take further measures.
Immediately following the deployment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government announced on the same day that from January 31, BNO passports cannot be used for entry and exit in Hong Kong, nor will they be recognized as any form of identification in Hong Kong.
A few days ago, Liao Changjiang, a representative of the National People's Congress and a member of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council, said in an exclusive interview with a reporter from China News Agency that in the future, Hong Kong citizens may lose their Hong Kong permanent resident status and a series of related rights if they apply for British citizenship through BNO.
[Concurrent] Liao Changjiang, deputy to the National People's Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council
If you are holding a BNO (British National (Overseas) Passport), (People's Republic of China) will no longer be regarded as a travel document.
But it is very likely that if you use BNO to apply for this right of abode in the UK, you may lose the qualification of a Hong Kong citizen of China.
If you have lost your (Chinese) Hong Kong citizenship when you apply, you may have to live in the UK for several years, say five years before you can apply for long-term residency and officially become a British citizen, but during these five years , What is your nationality?
[Explanation] When asked how to further promote "patriots ruling Hong Kong", Liao Changjiang said that to ensure the steady and long-term practice of "one country, two systems", we must always insist on "patriots ruling Hong Kong".
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress explained Article 104 of the Basic Law in 2016. After taking the oath, relevant public officials shall bear legal responsibility if they violate the oath.
Currently, the SAR government is studying to expand the scope of oath-taking personnel.
Liao Changjiang believes that in the future, public officials of public organizations such as Radio Television Hong Kong and the Hospital Authority, which have long been funded by the government, should be included in the scope of the oath.
[Concurrent] Liao Changjiang, deputy to the National People's Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council
At that time (the legal interpretation of Article 104 of the Basic Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress), it only (covered) the oath of some members, but did not include other public officials. Now this scope (of public officials who took the oath) has expanded it So I think this is understandable.
The Hong Kong government is now studying the scope of public officials who take the oath.
I think if you are in Hong Kong, you are exercising or assisting in the exercise of public power, or if you are obtaining public funds (subsidies) from the Hong Kong government for a long period of time to maintain it for public officials in some public organizations (operating organizations). It should be included in the scope of this oath.
[Explanation] Seven months have passed since the promulgation of the "Hong Kong National Security Law". Liao Changjiang pointed out that more than half a year after the promulgation of the National Security Law, Hong Kong society has gone from chaos to governance, and gangster activities have disappeared.
In response to new problems and new situations in the future, Hong Kong's national security laws need to be continuously improved and enriched with new content.
He said that long-term stability is an important prerequisite for promoting Hong Kong's social and economic development.
[Concurrent] Liao Changjiang, deputy to the National People's Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council
The National Security Law is the beginning.
So we need to improve our Hong Kong national security law. This is the first point.
The second point is that it (the "Hong Kong National Security Law") has brought a relatively stable social situation to Hong Kong society. With this stable situation, Hong Kong can carry out some in-depth reforms and promote some economic and social development. Be able to have the space and ability to solve some of the deep-seated political, economic, and social problems accumulated over the past 20 years.
[Commentary] Talking about the future development of Hong Kong, Liao Changjiang expressed that he is full of confidence in it.
He pointed out that 2021 is the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan". Under the new development pattern of "dual cycle", Hong Kong should give full play to its advantages as an international financial center, make good use of the development opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and encourage enterprises and talents to actively integrate into it. The overall situation of national development.
[Concurrent] Liao Changjiang, deputy to the National People's Congress, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Legislative Council
Because we are backed by the motherland, I am very confident that the 14th Five-Year Plan has a new development strategy layout, which is a "double cycle" layout. We are now studying how to help Hong Kong companies "free ride".
The development of the Greater Bay Area (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) is very important. For Hong Kong, whether it is in terms of economic development, economic (structural) diversification, or opportunities for young people, it depends on the (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) Greater Bay Area. , This is no small matter, so I am full of confidence.
Reporter Fan Siyi and Li Yue from Hong Kong
Editor in charge: [Ji Xiang]