Boris Johnson Speaks With Recent Immigrants From HK

Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke with Hong Kong families who have recently moved to Britain, saying he is proud that they have decided to start a new life in the country.

Britain has offered Hong Kong residents, with British National (Overseas) status, the right to apply for a new visa giving them the chance to become full British citizens after China's imposition of a national security law in the Asian financial hub last year.

"On behalf of the whole country I want to say how glad we are to have you here and how proud we are that you have chosen the UK to live," Johnson told the families during the call.

"I believe strongly in the prospects the UK can offer for those who want to make their lives here and I have no doubt that you are going to feel very much at home."

Britain has accused China of multiple breaches of the deal to hand the territory back to China in 1997. It says China’s security laws and moves to disqualify legislators have undermined Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy.

China says it was necessary to impose a national security law on Hong Kong following the anti-government riots in 2019. Beijing and the SAR government do not recognise the British National (Overseas) passport, which became available to most Hong Kong residents just before the handover in 1997. (Reuters)