BRITAIN OPENS VISA SCHEME

BRITAIN OPENS VISA SCHEME

Subject: International Relations

Context: A new visa scheme offering millions of people in Hong Kong a pathway to British citizenship went live on Sunday as the city’s former colonial master opens its doors to those wanting to escape China’s crackdown on dissent.

Concept:

• The immigration scheme is a response to Beijing’s decision last year to impose a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong to snuff out the huge and often violent democracy protests.
• Eligible persons can work in U.K., seek citizenship after 5 years according to the immigration scheme.
• Britain has accused China of tearing up its promise ahead of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover that the financial hub would maintain key liberties and autonomy for 50 years, and has argued it has a moral duty to protect its former subjects.