Hong Kongers Could See CCP Cease Recognition Of BNO Passport

C: Florian Wehde - Unsplash

Beijing has warned the UK that it will stop recognising Hong Kong issued British National Overseas (BNO) passports if London goes through with a programme to eventually offer British citizenship to millions of the territory’s residents.

Speaking at a Foreign Ministry press conference in Beijing, official spokesperson Wang Wenbin made the announcement on Thursday in the Chinese capital in what has become a week of seemingly tit-for-tat missives between the UK and China.

Up to thee million Hong Kongers, almost half the total population, could benefit from a promise by the British Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab earlier in the week to eventually“provide a pathway to future citizenship” to BNO passport holders from the former British territory.

Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997, but the recent passage of a controversial security law by Beijing has led to sanctions and the suspension of extradition treaties with a number of western nations – most notably, the UK, USA, and Australia.

Mr. Wang has been reported as saying “(B)ecause the UK first violated its promises, China will consider not recognising the BNO passport as a valid travel document, and will reserve the right to take further countermeasures,” drawing a brief statement in response by British authorities in Downing Street announcing that “It’s a fact that BNO passports are issued by the British government and they are legitimate international travel documents.”

Lisa Conklin

Lisa is an Eastender from London in her second year in Taipei where she teaches English, and in her spare time writes poetry. She is a practicing vegan and lover of yoga who lives 'off-grid' as much as possible. She is our weekend editor.