SYDNEY (AUSTRALIA) – Australia is likely to follow the UK in offering Hong Kong citizens visas as indicated by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday. This comes as China imposed a new security law on the financial hub.
London made it clear that it would allow Hong Kong citizens with British National Overseas Status and their dependent families to live and work in the UK for five years, and later apply for citizenship.
As many as three million Hong Kong citizens hold or are eligible to apply for BNO passports. UK Foreign Minister Dominic Raab told parliament he had held discussions with other nations having close ties with Hong Kong.
The Australian prime minister said the events that took place in Hong Kong on Thursday were concerning and his government was “prepared to step up and provide support”.
“We are considering very actively the proposals that I asked to be brought forward several weeks ago and the final touches would be put on those and they’ll soon be considered by Cabinet to provide similar opportunities.”
Morrison didn’t provide details of the proposals.
Australia’s ties with China were strained after Canberra called for an international probe to ascertain the source of the coronavirus.
On Thursday, Australian Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said the region was facing “the most consequential strategic realignment since the end of World War Two”.
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field
