LONDON: The Chinese embassy in London has strongly criticized the British government for its British National Overseas (BNO) visa program, asserting that it constitutes unwarranted meddling in China’s internal affairs.
This denouncement follows the recent announcement by the British Home Office regarding an expedited service for BNO visas, allowing applicants to receive their visas within five working days for a fee of £500 ($637).
The BNO visa program grants holders of BNO passports the opportunity to apply for permanent residency in the United Kingdom after five years of residing in the country. Subsequently, after an additional year, they can seek British citizenship.
Chinese Embassy Expresses Dissatisfaction with UK Motives
A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy expressed dissatisfaction with the British government’s motives, asserting that their actions were not geared towards safeguarding the interests of Hong Kong residents, as claimed, but rather aimed at tarnishing the reputation of Hong Kong. The spokesperson cited instances of Hong Kong citizens encountering economic hardship and societal discrimination upon arrival in the UK.
The embassy’s spokesperson called upon the British authorities to cease what they termed “hypercritical performances” and misleading narratives, urging an end to perceived interference in China’s internal matters. They underscored China’s earlier stance, communicated by the Foreign Ministry in early 2021, in which the country ceased recognition of the BNO passport and visa as valid travel and identification documents, effective from January 31 of that year. China reserved the right to undertake additional measures in response.
