Thousands bid to relocate to UK from Hong Kong
The worsening political situation in Hong Kong has already resulted in some 27,000 locals applying for residency in the UK under a scheme that only opened at the start of last month.
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On Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson held a 30-minute video conference with four Hong Kong families who have already moved to the country.Mr Johnson told them: "On behalf of the whole country I want to say how glad we are to have you here and how proud we are that you have chosen the UK to live."I believe strongly in the prospects the UK can offer for those who want to make their lives here and I have no doubt that you are going to feel very much at home."The UK has a long and proud history of embracing those who arrive on our shores seeking the inalienable rights and freedoms denied to them in their homeland. I am very proud that we have been able to make this offer to you and other British Nationals (Overseas)."Downing Street said in a statement that the BN(O) scheme "reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong who have had their rights and freedoms restricted".The statement added that BN(O) status holders in Hong Kong with certain biometric passports were able to apply for their visa using a smartphone app to scan their passport rather than visiting a visa centre – the first time non-EEA passport holders have been able to use such technology to apply."The UK has taken a number of steps in response to restrictions on freedom in Hong Kong in addition to the BN(O) visa offer, including raising human rights abuses alongside international partners, suspending our extradition treaty with Hong Kong and extending our arms embargo on mainland China to Hong Kong," added No 10.
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