Earlier, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that his country is ready to open the door to almost 3 million Hong Kong citizens if China enacts a national security law for the city
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam speaks during a news conference in Beijing, China, on June 3, 2020.Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam accused foreign critics on Wednesday of displaying “blatant double standards” over moves by Beijing to strengthen control over the semi-autonomous territory.
“It is within the legitimate jurisdiction of any country to enact laws to protect and safeguard national security. U.S.A. is no exception. U.K. is no exception,” Lam said. “So why should they object, resist or even condemn and take their sanctions against Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China for taking similar actions?”
China shocked many of Hong Kong’s 7.5 million people when it announced earlier this month that it will enact a national security law for the city, which was promised a high level of autonomy outside of foreign and defence affairs. In her comments, Lam appeared to agree, saying she was operating under Hong Kong’s Basic Law, its mini-constitution, despite critics saying China’s legislature used highly dubious legal grounds to circumvent Hong Kong’s legislature in moving forward with the security legislation.
About 350,000 Hong Kong citizens hold British National Overseas passports, a legacy of the colonial era, and 2.5 million others are eligible to apply for them, Johnson said in his column. Long lines have formed at DHL courier offices in the city since the announcement as people rush to apply for or renew their BNO passports.
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