China said Friday it will stop recognizing the British National (Overseas) passport in retaliation for Britain's offering an immigration route for millions of Hong Kong people in light of China's imposition of an anti-subversion law.
"Starting Jan. 31, the Chinese side will not recognize the so-called BNO passport as a travel document and proof of identity," Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a regular news briefing in Beijing.
"The British side neglected the fact that Hong Kong has returned to China for 24 years, disregarded the Chinese side's solemn position, blatantly violated its promise, insisted on plotting so-called bespoke residential and immigration policies for Hong Kong residents holding the BNO status and repeatedly expanded the applicability," Zhao said.
He added that Britain's act is a serious violation of China's sovereignty, which interferes with Hong Kong and China's internal affairs, and that China expresses strong opposition and reserves the right to take further steps.
China's reaction came as Britain vowed to stick with the earlier announced plan to admit Hong Kongers who have had their rights and freedoms restricted following China's imposition of the National Security Law in the former British colony.
The law, which targets acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, was promulgated on June 30. It carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment while selected suspects could be sent to mainland China for investigation and trial.
"I am immensely proud that we have brought in this new route for Hong Kong BNOs to live, work and make their home in our country," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said in a statement Thursday, announcing details on the visa application.
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Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab added that China's imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong constitutes "a clear and serious breach" of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration and Britain "won't look the other way when it comes to Hong Kong."
Starting Sunday, about 2.9 million Hong Kong people who have the BNO status and their about 2.3 million dependents can apply for the new visa that will allow them to reside in Britain for five years and further apply for citizenship after staying for another year.
Britain's Home Office has estimated that between 258,000 and 322,400 Hong Kong people eligible for the scheme will enter the country over five years, bringing in net benefit of between 2.4 billion pounds ($3.3 billion) and 2.9 billion pounds.
The Hong Kong government said late Friday that from Sunday, the BNO passport cannot be used for immigration clearance or as any form of proof of identity in Hong Kong.
"The current move of the British side has substantively changed the nature of BNO passport, and is a fundamental violation of its pledge in its (1984) memorandum. As the U.K. breaches its commitment in the first place, it is legitimate for our country to take countermeasures in response," a spokesman said.
