Hongkongers with British links face ban on holding public office

Regina Ip, an avidly pro-China member of Hong Kong’s legislature, demanded that Hong Kong residents chose between local residency and the foreign passport
Regina Ip, an avidly pro-China member of Hong Kong’s legislature, demanded that Hong Kong residents chose between local residency and the foreign passport
THOMAS PETER/REUTERS

China is considering a series of measures against Hongkongers who have links to Britain, including barring them from holding public office in the territory.

Residents of the former British colony who were born before it was handed back to China in July 1997 are entitled to British National Overseas (BNO) passports. The South China Morning Post reported that the proposal from Beijing was in retaliation for a new UK visa programme that extends more rights to BNO passport holders, including the right to live in Britain and a pathway to UK citizenship.

The newspaper said that the proposals included stripping BNO passport holders of their Hong Kong residency if they emigrate and denying them voting rights in the territory. The newspaper’s sources say that