In this photo, Reese Tan, a 25-year-old tutor, poses with his British National (Overseas) (AFP)
Hong Kong:
Shortly before Hong Kong returned to China, Simon Ng asked for a British national passport (overseas), a document he never thought he would need. He now plans to use it to emigrate.
China’s plan to impose a radical national security law on the city in response to huge pro-democracy protests has prompted Ng to think about leaving, the first time he has considered such action since Britain returned the former colony in 1997.
“At the time, like many of my peers, I thought that China was going to reform and there was hope,” the 52-year-old assistant professor told AFP.
“But now is really a dark time, and the future is likely to be even worse.”
BN (O) status was the product of a previous series of similar fears.
The period leading up to the 1997 surrender was feverish.
While Ng was optimistic, many other Hong Kongers worried about what the dominance of authoritarian Communist China could mean for the city’s freedoms and the prosperous capitalist system.
Consequently, Great Britain has offered anyone born before the transfer the possibility of applying for a BN (O) passport.
The document was of limited value. It gave Hong Kongers access to British consular services abroad and permission to travel to the United Kingdom for up to six months at a time, but not to live or work there.
But it was the recognition that Britain had a kind of responsibility towards the people who were once its subjects.
Now the document’s usefulness could change everything after China unveiled last month its plans to pass a law banning acts of subversion, secession, terrorism and foreign interference.
“Path to citizenship”
Beijing says the law – which will bypass Hong Kong’s legislature – is necessary to fight “terrorism”, “separatism” and restore confidence in a city shaken by a year of unrest.
But critics fear it will bring continental-style political oppression to a business center that is supposed to guarantee freedom and autonomy for 50 years after its handover.
Britain sees the law as a violation of this transfer agreement and, in response, has stated that it will consider extending the immigration rights of people with BN (O) status, including a possible “path towards citizenship ”.
There are currently some 350,000 BN (O) passport holders – a figure that has almost doubled in the past 12 months during the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.
But some 2.9 million people – anyone born before 1997 – are eligible for BN (O) status, and Britain has said that any citizenship plan would also include them.
The announcement sparked fury in Beijing, which in turn accused London of breaching its transfer commitments.
In recent weeks, Hong Kong residents have flocked to register, queuing outside post offices and courier companies to send documents.
But Ng says he faces a dilemma – neither his wife nor their two children have BN (O) status and Britain has yet to say whether the family will be included.
“I have to leave but I am as helpless as being pushed into the sea without a boat on board,” said Ng.
Young people ready to go
A recent survey of over 800 Hong Kongers by the Chinese University found that people between the ages of 18 and 24 reported the strongest desire to emigrate, with over 50% of them.
Yet most of those under the age of 23, who formed the foundation for last year’s protests, are not currently eligible for BN (O) status.
Asuka Law, 23, recently graduated, was three months old at the time of her transfer and is therefore eligible for status (BN (O). She plans to leave as early as October, using a program that Britain offers to people of less than 30 years from certain countries to live and work there, for two years.
She is concerned that the right to dissent will soon disappear from Hong Kong.
“I don’t think I have that much time left,” said Law. “It is difficult to do anything more in this city because each objection will be treated with an iron fist.”
She said she wanted to start a business abroad to help fellow Hong Kong people.
“Someone will have to do the job of providing a safety shelter,” she said.
Law’s friend Reese Tan, a 25-year-old tutor, is also trying out the youth program.
He promised to continue his “fight for Hong Kong” abroad by joining international support campaigns.
“I am not escaping. Hong Kong will always be my home,” said Tan.
(This story has not been edited by GalacticGaming staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
