,
Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, responding
to news that China may block the UK’s offer of citizenship to
Hong Kong residents, said:
“Today’s announcement only reinforces the importance of the
UK working with our international partners to coordinate a global
response to China’s erosion of the rights and freedoms of the
people of Hong Kong. The Government must not waiver in its
commitment to Hong Kong and the millions potentially at risk of
being targeted by new national security legislation.
“Unlike the Foreign Secretary who says there is “little the
UK can do”, Labour wants to see the Government standing up for
BNO passport holders in Hong Kong and demanding a guarantee from
China that their travel not be restricted on illegitimate
grounds. The Foreign Secretary must summon the Chinese Ambassador
without delay to reiterate the UK’s commitment to the people of
Hong Kong and demand assurances that the validity of British
passports will be upheld.
“More broadly, we need a coherent and consistent strategy
for dealing with China across government departments, including
imposing sanctions on Chinese officials involved in the
persecution of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang.”
Ends
Notes to editors
· China set to block UK’s offer
of citizenship to Hong Kong residents https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/china-uk-hong-kong-citizenship-security-law-a9633781.html
