UK PM Boris Johnson has said that his country is ready to open its doors to nearly 3 million Hong Kong citizens should they choose to cross over in the wake of China's new national security law which they are not agreeing with. He said this while in Beijing for meetings, as per a News18 report.??
"Many people in Hong Kong fear their way of life, which China pledged to uphold, is under threat," he wrote in the South China Morning Post.?
"If China proceeds to justify their fears, then Britain could not in good conscience shrug our shoulders and walk away," it also said in the article.?
Johnson said that the security law would affect liberties in Hong Kong and did not adhere to the agreement China had with UK to take back the city in 1997.?
Hong Kong's 7.5 million citizens were left in shock when China announced that it would enact national security laws for the city.?
Johnson also wrote that if China imposes a national security law, Britain would allow holders of British National Overseas passports, which accounts for about 350,000 people, to remain for 12 months have the right get a job work, which would help in getting citizenship.?
Currently anyone with this passport can stay for 6 months.?
"This would amount to one of the biggest changes in our visa system in British history," he wrote.?
"I hope it will not come to this."