Britain will provide Hong Kong residents with BNO passports a naturalization route China: strongly condemns and reserves the right to make further responses
China News Service, Beijing, July 2 (Reporter Zhang Weiran) against the British side said that it will provide Hong Kong residents with BNO passports to provide residence and naturalization paths in the UK. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press conference on July 2 The Chinese side strongly condemns this and reserves the right to make further responses. All consequences arising therefrom will be borne by the British side.
A reporter asked the British government that Hong Kong’s national security laws violated the "Sino-British Joint Statement", and also said that it had begun to revise some ways for British nationals overseas passport holders to become British citizens. What's China's response?
Zhao Lijian said that all Chinese compatriots in Hong Kong, including those holding British National (Overseas) passports (BNO passports), are Chinese citizens. Before the return of Hong Kong, the British had made a clear commitment not to grant BNO travel document holders the right of abode in the UK. The British side disregarded China's solemn position and insisted on changing the policy to provide a path for the relevant personnel to stay and naturalize in the UK, seriously violating their own commitments and seriously violating international laws and basic norms of international relations. The Chinese side strongly condemns this and reserves the right to make further responses. All consequences resulting therefrom will be borne by the British side.
He said that China reiterated that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, and no foreign country has the right to interfere. The Chinese government's determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests is unwavering. (Finish)