The British government will provide jobs or studies in the United Kingdom for some 5,000 Hong Kongers who have been involved in the anti-government campaign unfolding in the Chinese autonomy
Back in June 2019, mass protests began in Hong Kong, accompanied by pogroms and clashes with police. The extradition bill was the official reason for the protests. If passed, Hong Kong would be able to detain and extradite to Beijing persons who are wanted by Chinese security forces. The demonstrators were openly supported by Western countries, particularly the US and the UK.
The protests stopped amid the coronavirus pandemic, but resumed in late April 2020, accompanied by riots and arson. Against this background, the Chinese government decided to introduce a national security law in Hong Kong. The document, among other things, criminalises foreign interference and undermining of state power in this administrative area of China.
London has since made a series of changes to visa regulations, allowing thousands of anti-China campaigners to flee Hong Kong. Some 5,000 people have now applied to live, work and study in the UK.
Under the new rules, Hong Kong residents with a British passport are allowed to reside in the UK for 5 years and then apply for “permanent status” and citizenship. About 5.4 million Hong Kong people can thus apply for British citizenship.
The UK Home Office has not yet commented on the asylum figures for Hong Kong extremists published by The Times. Officials promise to provide official information in the coming months.