UK to extend visa rights for HK citizens unless Beijing ‘steps back’

London, May 29

The UK Government has said it is open to extending the visa rights of the British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders in Hong Kong to offer them a path to country’s citizenship unless China “steps back” from a new security law in the former British territory.

China’s parliament on Thursday approved the new law which would make it a crime to undermine Beijing’s authority in Hong Kong.

England eases lockdown norms

London: British PM Boris Johnson has announced that groups of up to six people will be able to meet outdoors in England from next Monday, provided strict social distancing guidelines are followed, as part of steps towards easing the country’s coronavirus lockdown. PTI

An estimated 300,000 BNO passport holders in Hong Kong currently have the right to visit the UK for up to six months without a visa. These passports were issued by the UK to people in the region before the transfer of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. “In relation to BNO passport holders, currently they only have the right to come to the UK for six months,” said UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab.

“If China continues down this path and implements this national security legislation, we will change that status. And we will remove that six-month limit and allow those BNO passport holders to come to the UK and to apply to work and study for extendable periods of 12 months and that will itself provide a pathway to future citizenship,” he said. According to reports, the proposal has the backing of Indian-origin Home Secretary Priti Patel. — PTI

Britain plans new 5G club of 10 democracies

London: The British Government has approached the US with the prospect of creating a 5G club of 10 democracies, including India, amid growing security concerns related to Chinese telecom giant Huawei, according to a UK media report. PTI