Thousands flee Hong Kong for UK, fearing China crackdown

Image Source : AP Thousands flee Hong Kong for UK, fearing China crackdown
Cindy had a snug way of life in Hong Kong: she owned a number of properties along with her husband, that they had enterprise going. But final yr she made up her thoughts to go away all of it behind and transfer her household to Britain, and never even a worldwide pandemic was going to sway her choice.
“To uproot ourselves like this is definitely not easy. But things got uglier last year, the government was really driving us away,” mentioned the businesswoman and mom of two younger kids who didn’t give her household title as a result of she feared repercussions for talking out towards the Chinese authorities. “Everything we value – freedom of speech, fair elections, liberties – has been eroded. It’s no longer the Hong Kong we knew, it’s no longer somewhere we can call home.”
Cindy, who landed in London final week, is among the hundreds of Hong Kongers fleeing their hometown since Beijing imposed a draconian nationwide safety regulation on the territory final summer season.
Some are leaving as a result of they concern punishment for supporting pro-democracy protests. But many others, like her, say China’s encroachment on their lifestyle and civil liberties has grow to be insufferable, they usually wish to search a greater future for his or her kids overseas. Most say they don’t plan to ever return.
Many firmed up their exit plans after Britain introduced in July that it might open a particular immigration pathway for as much as 5 million eligible Hong Kongers to dwell, work and finally settle within the U.Okay.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned this week the supply reveals Britain is honoring its “profound ties of history” with Hong Kong, a former colony that reverted to Chinese rule in 1997 on the understanding that it might retain its Western-style freedoms and far of its political autonomy not seen on mainland China.
Applications for the British National Overseas visa formally open Sunday, although many like Cindy have already arrived on British soil to get a head begin. Eligible Hong Kongers can at present come to the U.Okay. for six months, however from Sunday they will apply for the proper to dwell and work within the nation for 5 years. After that, they will apply for settled standing after which British citizenship.
Britain’s authorities mentioned some 7,000 individuals with British National Overseas (BNO) standing have arrived since July. It estimates that over 300,000 individuals will take up the supply of prolonged residency rights within the subsequent 5 years.
Cindy mentioned she needed to go away as quickly as potential as a result of she feared Beijing would quickly transfer to halt the exodus.
“The Chinese government said it hasn’t ruled out harsher tactics,” she mentioned. “I think they could lash out if tens of thousands of young professionals start leaving, because that would surely upset Hong Kong’s economy and they wouldn’t like that at all.”

Beijing mentioned Friday it’ll not acknowledge the BNO passport as a journey doc or type of identification, and criticized Britain’s citizenship supply as a transfer that “seriously infringed” on China’s sovereignty. It was unclear what impact the announcement would have as a result of many Hong Kongers carry a number of passports.
Beijing drastically hardened its stance on Hong Kong after huge anti-government protests in 2019 turned violent and plunged the town right into a months-long disaster. Since the safety regulation’s enactment, dozens of pro-democracy activists have been arrested, and the motion’s younger leaders have both been jailed or fled overseas.
Because the brand new regulation broadly outlined acts of subversion, secession, overseas collusion and terrorism, many in Hong Kong concern that expressing any type of political opposition – even posting messages on social media – may land them in hassle.
“I think if you knew when to shut up, you’ll be OK staying in Hong Kong,” mentioned 39-year-old Fan, who additionally just lately arrived in London. Like Cindy, he didn’t wish to present his full title. “But I don’t want to do that. I can complain about the queen if I wanted to – I can say anything here.”
Fan, an animator, had bought his flat in Hong Kong and plans to slowly construct a brand new life in Britain – a rustic he had by no means even visited earlier than. He received’t be alone in ranging from scratch.
“This is a really unique emigration wave – some people haven’t had time to actually visit the country they’re relocating to. Many have no experience of living abroad,” mentioned Miriam Lo, who runs Excelsior UK, a relocation company. “And because of the pandemic, they couldn’t even come over to view a home before deciding to buy.”
The British authorities estimates there are 2.9 million BNO standing holders eligible to maneuver to the U.Okay., with an extra 2.3 million eligible dependants. The U.Okay. launched BNO passports within the Nineteen Eighties for individuals who have been a “British dependent territories citizen by connection with Hong Kong.” Until just lately, the passports had restricted advantages as a result of they didn’t confer nationality or the proper to dwell and work in Britain.
Cindy, the businesswoman, was nonetheless recovering from jetlag, however she’s upbeat about her future.
“We want to bring Hong Kong’s energy, our resources and our finances here,” she mentioned. “The move is for our kids, sure. But we want to build a whole new life here for ourselves too.”
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