Britain may offer citizenship to BN(O) Hongkongers but what happens if China refuses to recognise it?
- If China does not accept dual citizenship or nationality, Hongkongers returning home may still be classed as Chinese citizens, says observer
- Article 38 of the law covers offences by non-permanent residents of HK outside the city, so discussion of citizenship issues may be irrelevant: researcher
China may not recognise Hongkongers’ British nationality acquired through the United Kingdom’s newly proposed citizenship scheme, according to a senior Hong Kong adviser to Beijing.
The tough new national security law took effect for the former British colony at 11pm on Tuesday.
Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the semi-official Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macau Studies, said Beijing would most likely “retaliate” by not recognising British citizenship acquired through this scheme.
“If a person would like to be registered as a British national in Hong Kong, he or she should be asked whether or not that nationality was acquired through this scheme. If so, the person would remain legally as a Chinese national,” Lau said.
“Of course, there are difficulties in implementation as to how to verify the way that one acquired the British nationality,” Lau said. “Yet, the Hong Kong government can hold people legally accountable by making them declare it on paper.”
