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SCMP Series
Most read Letters to the Editor of 2021
7 of 10
1
Australia making a big mistake taking on China
A visitor looks at a display of Australian wines at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai on November 5. Disputes over issues ranging from Xinjaing to 5G and Australia’s support for a probe into the origin of the coronavirus have sparked a trade spat and higher Chinese import duties or outright bans on Australian products, including wine and coal. Photo: AP
2
Zero-Covid Hong Kong could mean ‘World City’ Singapore
People dine in the Boat Quay nightlife area in Singapore on September 24. The country has reopened its borders to vaccinated international travellers. Photo: Reuters
3
Why Australia will regret making an enemy of China
Protesters at a demonstration in Sydney on June 23 call on the Australian government to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics over China’s human rights record. Photo: AFP
4
In Canadian police’s refusal of street checks, a lesson for Hong Kong
Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers wearing masks stand outside the Senate of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario, in September 2020. Many police forces in Ontario have resisted a re-introduction of street checks to combat Covid-19. Photo: Bloomberg
5
Hong Kong hotel quarantine rules: a plea for common sense and mercy
Coach registration counter at the Hong Kong International Airport, for passengers to be transported to designated quarantine hotels, on December 22. Photo: Nora Tam
6
UK’s ‘green list’ for travel: why is Singapore in and Hong Kong out?
People spend time in a Hong Kong park on April 30. Diplomats in both China and Britain should lobby for Hong Kong to be included in the UK’s green list of quarantine-free travel. Photo: AP
7
Think twice before leaving Hong Kong on BN(O) visa
About 300,000 Hong Kong citizens are expected to apply for a new British National (Overseas) visa route to settle in the UK, despite nearly 3 million being eligible. Photo: Bloomberg
8
Harsh Covid-19 rules raise risks of Hong Kong expat exodus
Hong Kong’s once-bustling nightlife district of Lan Kwai Fong wears a deserted look, in Central on June 14. Photo: Edmond So
9
Hongkongers moving to Canada for democracy are in for a shock
Friends and relatives take photos before boarding a London-bound flight at Hong Kong airport on August 8. Photo: EPA-EFE
10
There are worthier Bible lessons than ‘mark of the beast’
Anti-vaccination protesters take part in a rally against Covid-19 vaccine mandates in Santa Monica, California, on August 29. Photo: AFP
About 300,000 Hong Kong citizens are expected to apply for a new British National (Overseas) visa route to settle in the UK, despite nearly 3 million being eligible. Photo: Bloomberg
OpinionLetters

Letters | Before leaving Hong Kong on BN(O) visa, consider Brexit and the British economy

  • The economic effects of Britain choosing to leave the European Union could have an impact on Hongkongers’ seeking a new life in the UK
Hong Kong national security law (NSL)
Letters
Letters
Why you can trust SCMP
After the unrest sparked by the extradition law amendment bill and the introduction of the national security law, many Hong Kong citizens and foreign investors are afraid, and divestment and emigration are topics of discussion. This could further damage Hong Kong’s economic and international reputation.

According to the report by The Centre for Economics and Business Research, if 1 million Hong Kong residents emigrate to the United Kingdom over five years, it could bring the UK up to £40 billion (US$55.8 billion) in economic benefits.

However, British National (Overseas) passport holders with short memories must not forget that the UK has finalised Brexit. Given the effects of leaving the European Union, their new life might not be as expected and could be worse than in Hong Kong.

No one can tell for sure what the future holds for the UK, especially given that EU countries accounted for much of the UK’s foreign investment in recent years. After Brexit, other major sources of investment into Britain such as China could join EU countries in significantly reducing their investment in the UK.

The City of London has been anxious since last June because of the uncertainty brought about by Brexit. For example, HSBC has suggested it could relocate 1,000 employees from London to Paris. Barclays Bank has moved part of its business from London to Dublin and Germany. Many companies are still feeling anxious about Brexit.

We live in uncertain times, and BN(O) passport holders must work through many scenarios in coming to a decision. Other factors may trump the economic challenges, but BN(O) holders must seriously confront the state of the British and global economies in their decision-making process.

Josh Lui, Sha Tin

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