Hong Kong residents eligible to apply for UK citizenship; China criticizes UK for violating...

英, 오늘부터 홍콩인 대상 이민확대 조치…中 강력 반발

Hundreds of thousands of Hong Kong residents can now apply for British citizenship under a newly-introduced UK government visa scheme.
However, tensions are escalating,... as China sees the move by the UK as a serious violation of the country's sovereignty.
Choi Min-jung reports.
Starting the last day of January, residents of Hong Kong became eligible to apply for new visas, which allow them to become British citizens.
The program, first introduced last year by the UK government,… comes after China imposed a new security law on Hong Kong,… which reportedly violates the terms of agreements signed when the colony was handed over to China.
Under the new scheme, Hong Kong citizens with British National Overseas passports can now live in Britain for 5 years and eventually apply for citizenship.
Also, unlike before, those with BNO passports will be permitted to work in the UK.
The special visa allows more than 70-percent of the population to flee Hong Kong,... and the UK government expects some 300-thousand people to apply for the new visa in the next 5 years.

Concerning the UK's move, the Chinese government hit back hard saying that the program seriously breaches China's sovereignty and intrudes in its internal affairs.
"This action of Britain has seriously violated China's sovereignty, grossly interfered in Hong Kong affairs and China's other internal affairs, and seriously violated international laws and the basic norms governing international relations. China is strongly indignant and firmly opposes this."
In retaliation, China said on Sunday that it will no longer consider the BNO passport as a travel document and identification certificate.
The government also warned that further measures could be taken.
Despite tensions, watchers say the new visa will accelerate the population shift,... as many are in fear of potential punishment for participating in pro-democracy protests and wish to escape from China's control.
Choi Min-jung, Arirang News.

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2021-02-01, 07:00 (KST)