Boris Johnson to change immigration rules to offer 3 million people in Hong Kong UK citizenship

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that he was ready to offer UK citizenship to nearly 3 million Hong Kong citizens eligible for a British National Overseas passport.

Writing in Wednesday’s edition of the Times, Johnson stated if the security laws were pursued, “Britain would have no choice but to uphold our profound ties of history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong”.

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He said: “Today about 350,000 people hold British Nationals (Overseas) passports and another 2.5 million people would be eligible to apply for them. At present these passports allow for visa free access for up to six months.

“If China imposes its national security law, the British government will change its immigration rules and allow any holder of these passports from Hong Kong to come to the UK for a renewable period of 12 months and be given further immigration rights including the right to work which would place them on the route to citizenship.”

He added: “This would amount to one of the biggest changes to our visa system in history. If it proves necessary Britain will take this step and take it willingly.”

Johnson also used his article to make a final appeal to China to reconsider its actions, urging the leaders in Beijing to realise that with power came the need for magnanimity.

He wrote: “Britain does not seek to prevent China’s rise; on the contrary we will work side-by-side on all the issues where our interests converge, from trade to climate change. We want a modern and mature relationship, based on mutual respect and recognising China’s place in the world.

“And it is precisely because we welcome China as a leading member of the world community that we expect it to abide by international agreements.”