Hong Kongers will not be packing their bags any time soon. Boris Johnson’s promise is lacking in detail about exactly what’s on offer
South China Morning Post
. It carried a threat to Beijing: if China imposed its national-security law, tightening its grip on the city, Britain would change its immigration rules. British Nationals , a category created for those born in the British colony before it was returned to China in 1997, would gain additional rights, including one to work, “which could place them on a route to citizenship”. The Home Office has said the offer would extend not just to the 350,000 holders ofpassports, but to all 2.
The offer was a bold gesture, destined to upset China . Pro-democracy Hong Kongers celebrated. Craig Choy, a lawyer and campaigner, says he drew comfort from the fact “that we actually have thebacking us up”. Watching British lawmakers offer their support was “very touching,” he adds. Yet locals will not be packing their bags soon, for the kind words bely a lack of detail about exactly what is on offer.
Britain is one of the few countries that makes a distinction between citizens and nationals. The passports held by British nationals look identical to those belonging to citizens, but carry fewer benefits.s can ask for support from British embassies . They can also visit Britain for six months without a visa. There is not much more on offer.s have no automatic right to live, work or study in Britain. They are subject to immigration controls upon entering.
Even if the finer points of immigration law were ironed out, Hong Kongers would be unlikely to move to Britain. British nationality is best thought of as a “lifeboat”, says Emily Lau, a legislator. “If things go wrong, you have a place to go to. But if things are okay...nobody wants to up sticks and move.” For now, Mr Johnson’s offer looks more like a geopolitical gambit than detailed immigration policy.
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