Question: On February 24^th, the Home Office of the UK announced that it will expand the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa scheme. What is your comment on this?

Embassy Spokesperson: The UK’s decision to adopt and expand the BNO visa scheme in disregard of the solemn position of China severely violates the Sino-British Joint Declaration and the agreement between the two sides in the relevant MOU, grossly interferes in Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs, and seriously contravenes international law and the basic norms governing international relations. The Chinese side expresses firm opposition and strong condemnation.

Facts prove that since the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR came into force, stability has been restored and law and justice have been upheld, the legitimate rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents have been effectively safeguarded, and the region has entered a new historical stage when chaos is replaced with order and order will in turn lead to prosperity. The attempt to create trouble in Hong Kong by manipulating the BNO issue will never succeed!

China has resumed exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong. Hong Kong affairs are purely China’s internal affairs. We strongly urge the UK side to have a clear understanding of the situation, right its wrongs immediately, abandon the illusion of continuing its colonial influence in the Hong Kong SAR, stop its interference of any form in Hong Kong affairs, which are China’s internal affairs, and avoid causing new harms to the China-UK relationship.