Hong Kong File Photo: VCG

  

The UK government says it will seek to extend Hongkongers' visa rights if China pursues its newly proposed national security law. The potential UK move has won overwhelming support from Chinese internet users, who said all traitors should be sent to the UK as they are unwanted on Chinese territory. 

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has suggested extending the current rights of British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders from Hong Kong to allow them to stay in the UK for six months without a visa, extendable to 12 months and leading to a pathway for future citizenship, if China continues to pursue its proposed national security law in Hong Kong. 

People with BNO passports can enter the UK visa-free and stay in the country for 180 out of 365 days, but do not have the right to live or work there. About 300,000 Hong Kong residents hold valid BNO passports.  

The UK's move is in response to growing Conservative backbench pressure on the Foreign Office to do more to help Hong Kong citizens who fear China is about to extinguish their independence and political freedoms, UK media reported. 

China reiterated its stance that Hong Kong affairs are China's internal affairs, and China condones no interference by foreign forces, said FM spokesperson Zhao Lijian on the UK's plan to extend Hongkongers' visa rights.

Zhao pointed out that the Joint Declaration between China and the UK clearly states rights of abode are not to be granted to HK BNO passport holders. He urged the UK to support Hong Kong's prosperity rather than meddling in its affairs.

The threat has won overwhelming support on Chinese media, with netizens urging the UK to receive all Hong Kong rioters. "We support this! I hope the UK can do it. Send all these traitors to the UK. Chinese territory does not need these people," said an internet user surnamed Huang.

"Rioters, leave Hong Kong as fast as you can so those who stay can focus on restoring order and bringing back prosperity to the Pearl of the Orient," said another netizen. 

Many more are calling for the UK to grant citizenship or permanent residency to Hong Kong rioters. "Brits, even one year is too short. Those people are selling their lives for you, permanent residency in your country is the right price for you to pay." 

The UK's move was ridiculed by experts as nothing but a "rubber check" to incite riots in Hong Kong. "The BNO has been used by the UK to deprive permanent residence once enjoyed by Hong Kong people, before it returned to China in 1997," said Lau Siu-kai, a vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.

Lau said the UK won't have any practical movement toward Hong Kong rioters as immigration is one of the factors that propelled UK's divorce from the EU. "Once it agreed to take Hong Kong BNO holders, the UK government will shoulder a huge pressure from its society."

Separating itself from the EU has cut large amounts of opportunity, so it veered to cooperation with China for more economic gains, so it won't retroact against economic bonuses, Lau said. 

Chinese netizens also voiced their support when Taiwan's DPP leader Tsai Ing-wen said her government would devise special measures to help Hong Kong protestors relocate to the island. 

"That's even better. It would be convenient for the Chinese mainland if one day it decides to reunite with the island by military force," said a net user surnamed Huang. 

Tsai's announcement was also mocked by Hong Kong lawmakers. Wong Kwok-kin, Legislative Council member and vice president of the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions, said he "welcomes" the DPP's move. If Tsai stands up to her promise and allows Hong Kong rioters to immigrate to Taiwan, that will deal a heavy blow to Taiwan's society and economy and bring prosperity to Hong Kong.