At the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today (29th), a reporter asked: The British government announced that the adjusted British National Overseas Passport and Visa Policy will take effect from January 31st. What's your comment on this?
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that the British side ignored the fact that Hong Kong has returned to China for 24 years, ignored China’s solemn position, and blatantly violated its promises, and insisted on concocting the so-called “tailor-made” Hong Kong with British National (Overseas) (BNO) status. The policy of residence and naturalization of residents in the UK has repeatedly expanded the scope of application. The British side has tried to turn a large number of Hong Kong people into second-class British "citizens", which has completely changed the original BNO nature of the Sino-British understanding.
The so-called BNO in the UK is no longer the original BNO. This is a serious violation of China's sovereignty, gross interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs, and a serious violation of international law and basic norms of international relations.
China is strongly indignant and firmly opposes this.
Zhao Lijian stated that starting from January 31, China will no longer recognize the so-called BNO passport as a travel document and identity proof, and reserves the right to take further measures.
(CCTV reporter Zhao Jing Kong Luyuan)