Will not recognise British issued HK passport, warn China

China has refused to recognize the British National (Overseas) passport for Hong Kongers, as Britain prepares to offer millions of former colonial subjects a way to escape Beijing's crackdown on dissent. From Sunday(January 31, 2021) those with a BN(O) passport and their dependents will be able to apply online for a visa allowing them to live and work in the United Kingdom. After five years they can then apply for citizenship.The new immigration scheme is a response to Beijing's decision to impose a sweeping national security law on the city last year to snuff out huge and often violent democracy protests.Britain accused China of tearing up its promise ahead of Hong Kong's 1997 handover that the financial hub would maintain key liberties and autonomy for 50 years. It argues it has a moral duty to protect its former subjects.

 Beijing hit back on Friday, ahead of the upcoming change. foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters that from January 31, China will no longer recognize the so-called BN(O) passport as a travel document and ID document, and reserves the right to take further actions. Chinese officials warned last year that they might consider ending recognition of BN(O) passports. At the time they said it would mean BN(O) holders being unable to travel to the Chinese mainland. It sets the stage for further confrontation with London, and the threat of further action suggests Beijing may be preparing more restrictions for BN(O) holders down the line.

 A BN(O) passport is available to a huge number of people -- about 70 percent of Hong Kong's total population of 7.5 million. Applications for BN(O) passports have skyrocketed more than 300 percent since the national security law was imposed last July, with 733,000 registered holders as of mid-January. Britain predicts up to 154,000 Hong Kongers could arrive over the next year and as many as 322,000 over five years, bringing an estimated "net benefit" of up to £2.9 billion ($4 billion) with them.