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So he obviously felt that this, you know, highly symbolic event was important. - or else I'll be just gone, not staying in Hong Kong if the game is set. Chinese leaders began to worry that Hong Kong had become an ideological abscess that would need lancing. Officials attacked the assumption that Hong Kongs autonomy was set in stone under the framework negotiated with Britain near the end of colonial rule. I dread not being able to see him again, she said. They need encouraging and protecting from the new laws. Authorities say the national security law affects a minority, but Mr Hui says it stifles Hong Kong's once-vibrant civil society. Read about our approach to external linking. You know, Xi Jinping says, though, that he - you know, that promised high degree of autonomy is still there and that, in his words, has been implemented properly, that the one country, two systems model for Hong Kong has been great. But then my question would be, so why did I not get a chance to decide on my own future? The diaspora is quickly growing with an increasing number of locals leaving the city in recent years. Hong Kong developed rapidly under UK rule, becoming one of the world's major financial and business centres. When I went to the hospital to register our Covid vaccination records, they said they had about 20 to 30 Hongkongers coming every day. In a way, change has to be possible - right? Many of them are now in jail, though, and others are afraid to meet. The authorities will call the pro-democracy movement a riot, but we have a responsibility to preserve our memories and our Hong Kong identity. China has accused the UK and US of "harbouring criminals" after both governments condemned Hong Kong authorities for issuing bounties totalling $1mn this week for eight exiled political . After protesters defaced the national emblem at the Central Liaison Officein Hong Kong in July 2019, Chinese state media erupted. Hong Kong is quite strange to me now and Britain is more familiar. Both of them born in 1997, the year Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule. But Mr. Xi was not yet ready to make dramatic incursions into Hong Kong. But one of the most pressing questions is what it means to be a Hongkonger. VideoArmageddon: The 3,000-year-old city behind the biblical story. Hong Kongs march toward an authoritarian future began with a single phrase in a dry policy paper. It was a heartbreaking scene. It has scrutinized museums for potentially subversive artwork, according to a local official. Beijings decision to impose radical changes to restrict participation in Hong Kongs electoral system constitutes a further clear breach of the legally binding Sino-British Joint Declaration, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement on Saturday. At the time, the city was promised "a high degree of autonomy" for 50 years. International or Chinese financial centre? Hong Kong, once a beacon of press freedom in Asia, was ranked 148th in the world for press freedom this year, tumbling down nearly 70 places since the previous year. This time, people are leaving Hong Kong with the expectation that they probably will not return.". The papers new phrase, comprehensive jurisdiction, suggested that Beijing no longer saw a legal firewall encasing Hong Kong, said Michael C. Davis, a former professor of law at the University of Hong Kong and author of Making Hong Kong China.. But then, at the same time, having no hope at all is fatal. ", "For this generation, they may not have the same feelings as those young people who took to the streets in 2019.". But there are a lot of people who are quietly unhappy with the changes. In 1997, the "pearl of the Orient" was a wealthy city whose GDP was equivalent to almost one-fifth of China's. China says the UK is sheltering fugitives after Hong Kong put bounties on the heads of eight pro-democracy activists who fled the territory. All rights reserved. Middle-class families and young professionals are fuelling this new wave of immigration. In the beginning, I thought if more people protested peacefully, the government would stop imposing a law we didnt want, but it just became more violent. He also says Beijing passed the national security law and changed the electoral system as Hong Kong was "growing politicised" and it reached a "critical point" in 2019 when the city's legislature was paralysed by the pro-democracy camp. I still have family there, and I want to be able to visit them in the future, so Id rather not have my name published. I know some BNO holders dont like it because its too cold, because they dont speak English, because its not easy to find a job, or they cant find the same job that they had in Hong Kong. Armageddon: The 3,000-year-old city behind the biblical story. At the time, Ms. Ip, the lawmaker, doubted that Chief Executive Carrie Lam could make much progress on a security law. If I wasnt at risk, I would stay in Hong Kong. Official media, mute on the protests for weeks, erupted. Its horrible. The UK has said it is considering more rights for holders of a special passport issued to some people in Hong Kong. Also, here, even though people might not agree with you, they will still be respectful. It has extolled the security law as a cure for Hong Kongs political turbulence. About 70% of Hong Kong's population - 5.4 million - can apply for the visa, which allows holders the right to live and work in the UK. Can we return? A man who allegedly booed the Chinese national anthem while watching an Olympic event at a shopping centre was arrested. While 1 July has historically seen pro-democracy protests demanding universal suffrage and Hong Kong's autonomy, recent years have seen few public gatherings. Beijing soon made clear that it was serious about setting new rules for Hong Kong. Hong Kong hits back at UK call for security law to be scrapped At least with the BNO scheme, people around the world know what happened to us back in Hong Kong. Hong Kong's year under China's controversial law, Why China is bent on crushing dissent in Hong Kong, Tea, drugs and war: Hong Kong's history explained, US allies uneasy over cluster bombs to Ukraine, BBC star faces new allegations over explicit photos, Zelensky visits Snake Island on 500th day of war, The fate of a protest that toppled a president. It hacks systems, throws switches, corrupts elections and moves vast sums of money round the world at will. While many Hong Kongers figured that Beijing would move to end the protests, most thought the steps would be familiar. and other data for a number of reasons, such as keeping FT Sites reliable and secure, But it was certain that if they went too far, they would be silenced. Dozens of civil society groups have closed while many political commentators have quietly left. In July the same year, Raab said the National Security Law which China had imposed on the people of Hong Kong was also a clear and serious violation of the Joint Declaration. So Beijing promised Hong Kong's civil liberties and freedom - unavailable in the mainland - would be preserved for at least 50 years under a novel arrangement called "one country, two systems". "I can't speak for the central government, but I think its main objective is to maintain Hong Kong's prosperity.". What happens in 2047, which is the 50-year mark of the transition? The tipping point was 2019 when China proposed an extradition bill that could potentially allow HongKongers accused of of crimes to be tried in China. COVID-19 has hammered the economy. Unlike Indian prime minister Nehru who sent the army into Hyderabad after the British left India, Chairman Mao refrained from using military force to take back Hong Kong. The knock-on effect is obvious. You may change or cancel your subscription or trial at any time online. Back in Hong Kong, youre always afraid people will criticise or judge you. Most of my activist friends are in jail now. But its been hard getting used to the weather. But Mr Ngo believes it's different this time. We joined a Facebook group for Hongkongers when we arrived, and weve made some friends through that. Now, after a tumultuous 25 years, that experiment has reached its halfway point. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. We know that hope is important, but at the same time, it could be toxic. The paper, published in June 2014, signaled the Chinese leader Xi Jinpings determination to tame political defiance in the former British colony, which had kept its own laws and freedoms. Video, Armageddon: The 3,000-year-old city behind the biblical story. The Chinese security agency itself has stayed largely out of view. And "the city of demonstrations" - which has a long history of peaceful protest - has fallen silent since the national security law took effect. I like how green England is. John, walk us through why Xi Jinping was there. Xi's appearance there was significant for a couple of reasons. It feels very different in some respects. Can France prevent tensions igniting again? Mr. Xis predecessor, Hu Jintao, had raised the possibility of fulfilling Chinas repeatedly delayed promise to let the public directly elect the chief executive, Hong Kongs top official. Now, we need to educate our kids so that when they grow up, they have the choice to either go back to Hong Kong or stay in the UK. Seeing some of my friends getting arrested or beaten, I guess it made me try to think about, how can I contribute to the community? We started to chant slogans and sing songs. The secret negotiations behind the Hong Kong handover | CNN Don't interfere in Hong Kong affairs, China tells Canada He was in Hong Kong five years ago for the 20th anniversary of the handover. City officials initially said the security law would be applied with scrupulous precision; instead, it unleashed a rolling campaign that has left few corners of society untouched. Installing Chinas national emblem last July at the Metropark Hotel Causeway Bay in Hong Kong, which became a Chinese security agencys base of operations. Last updated May 19, 2022 9:45 am (EST) Summary Before the British government handed over Hong Kong in 1997, China agreed to allow the region considerable political autonomy for fifty years. This ambition was fanciful. All rights reserved. A certain tolerance might have better served Beijings image. But if you just want some money, its easy to get a job as a waiter or in sales. RUWITCH: Yeah, this day is important, you know, because, you know, Hong Kong's return to China in 1997 was this gigantic milestone that put an end to what China calls the century of humiliation at the hands of foreign powers and in the words of the party, you know, standing up as a nation, really. They think if they keep silent, if they dont criticise the government, they will be fine. Hong Kong free media buckles under China pressure, US allies uneasy over cluster bombs to Ukraine, BBC star faces new allegations over explicit photos, Zelensky visits Snake Island on 500th day of war, The fate of a protest that toppled a president. Some expected fresh pressure on local lawmakers to enact security laws. Hong Kong: What is the BNO and what does the UK move mean? Victor, a 28-year-old IT professional, likewise blamed the worsening political environment for his departure. A week later, the Hong Kong government announced that Chinas security agency would build a permanent headquarters on the citys waterfront, occupying a site about the size of two football fields. KWOK: I think part of it is a lot of frustration. But the clampdown was years in the making, and many signals were missed. (modern). It has pointedly praised the arrests of high-profile figures, including opposition politicians and top editors of Apple Daily, a brash pro-democracy tabloid ensnared by the law and forced to close last week. Beijing, the document declared, would wield comprehensive jurisdiction over the territory. The ruthlessness of Beijings repression has surprised even hardened China-watchers. Britain is now in a dither over how to react. Try full digital access and see why over 1 million readers subscribe to the FT, Purchase a Trial subscription for 100 for 4 weeks, You will be billed 4,190 per month after the trial ends. To Beijing, the national emblems defacement confirmed that the protests had become an assault on its very claim to Hong Kong. We had no democracy but had the rule of law, the freedom of speech and assembly. Anger over the potential bill erupted into some of the largest protests Hong Kong had ever seen. Here, youre not forced to love Britain or the Conservative party. And that's going to be a big challenge for the new chief executive, John Lee. And what they meant was that you were only going back because you don't want to feel guilty, but actually, you are not going to contribute much to the movement by being in jail because I'm not a public figure at that time that could really raise any attention from the international media. But the words were dismissed by many as intimidating swagger that the citys robust legal system and democratic opposition could face down. Entry requirements - Hong Kong (SAR of China) travel advice The Sino-British Joint Declaration, which was signed in 1984, stipulates that Hong Kong would retain its high degree of autonomy, rights and freedoms for 50 years after the handover. T, welcome to you. Accuracy and availability may vary. The Home Office expects up to 153,000 people with British national (overseas) status and their dependents to arrive in the UK in the first year, and up to 322,000 over five years. JOHN RUWITCH, BYLINE: Yes, Xi Jinping was there to attend a joint event. Britain first took over Hong Kong island in 1842, after defeating China in the First Opium War. Young people need it more than older people. Im worried about my safety. The 2020 law followed massive pro-democracy protests in 2019, which included violent clashes between demonstrators and police. It will only prompt an even bigger social reaction.. said at a 2016 meeting about security legislation for Hong Kong, impose a national security law on Hong Kong. On a night out . Suddenly, I could hear shooting and people started running in different directions. And that concern - there was sort of a bigger related question underpinning it, which is whether or not China would live up to its promises to preserve Hong Kong's way of life. It's played an outsized role as a portal for trade and for financial transactions between China and the rest of the world. That's what then-Chinese president Jiang Zemin said during the historic handover of the city of Hong Kong from Britain to. Hong Kong's Freedoms: What China Promised and How It's Cracking Down For cost savings, you can change your plan at any time online in the Settings & Account section. It allows them to live, study and work in Britain for five years. What is Hong Kong's national security law? "Twenty-five years ago when China was much less developed than it is now, Hong Kong stood out as a very developed, internationally connected city," says Louis Kuijs, chief Asia Pacific economist of S&P Global Ratings. Hong Kong residents held mass pro-democracy protests in 2014 and 2019, even adopting a song from "Les Miserables" as an anthem. A surge in withdrawals from the citys mandatory pension fund due to permanent departure also suggested many were leaving for good. MARTNEZ: So it sounds like China hasn't lived up to its promises. "If they don't think the current system is sustainable, the option will be to reintegrate Hong Kong, even before 2047.". All rights reserved. It was widely thought in Hong Kong that Mr. Xi would not go that far. You cant shut something down just because it has a different point of view. The region, once a rare . It wasnt Friday night, it was in the morning. Im safe now. You can still enjoy your subscription until the end of your current billing period. More about Chris Buckley, Vivian Wang is a China correspondent. Britain seized Hong Kong during the First Opium War, and China's Qing Dynasty formally ceded it to the U.K. in a treaty in 1842. Hopefully, it can become a place where Hongkongers can gather and make friends with local people. 2023 BBC. BLOCK: Yeah. The question of how to handle modern China clearly deserves the most careful attention. My friend and I have been putting on community events in Sheffield for Hongkongers. But at the same time, I'm quite sure that, you know, I'm on their mind. China accuses UK of harbouring Hong Kong fugitives - BBC News But that doesnt mean other people are OK. Why is US giving Ukraine 'abhorrent' weapons? The decision is still . People are friendly and respectful. Before I came here last August with my wife, I watched some YouTube videos to find out which area we could live in. Britain has allowed Hong Kong residents like Mr Li and his family to move to the UK even before the new visa comes into force. Mr. Xis hold over Chinas own security apparatus was incomplete. It is out of our league. I dont have to worry that one day I might be arrested. offers FT membership to read for free. The Hong Kong that we knew is fast disappearing the good life we had, the spirit, the culture of Hong Kong. Can the UK take back Hong Kong? Beijings apparatchiks laugh as London erupts in impotent fury, more than 100,000 Chinese students in Britain. Police forces responded to demonstrators with water cannons, rubber bullets and tear gas, exacerbating tensions between protesters and the government. The date marking 50 years since Britain handed over Hong Kong to China will also see the legal expiration of the "one country, two systems" experiment that guarantees the former colony's . I came to England last July. There is extensive consensus that no time should be lost in Hong Kong's development and that all interference should be removed. Hundreds of protesters besieged the Central Liaison Office, Chinas primary arm in Hong Kong, and splattered black ink on the red-and-gold Chinese national emblem over the entrance. The exodus intensified in the run-up to 1 August, when an immigration law allowing the government to bar people entering or leaving the city came into effect. But Im still thinking about the young people who dont have the right to apply for a visa [the scheme is only open to people over 18 who have BNO status. And of course, I'm going to wonder, oh, did they talk about me? China agreed to govern Hong Kong under the principle of "one country, two systems", where the city would enjoy "a high degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs" for the next 50 years. 1841 Hong Kong ceded to the British During the First Opium War, China cedes the island of Hong Kong to the British with the signing of the Chuenpi Convention, an agreement seeking an. According to Home Office statistics, 34,300 people applied in the first two months after applications for BNO visas opened at the end of January, with 20,600 from outside the country. Many were anxious about how the capitalist, free-wheeling former British colony. But one senior Beijing official said the governing principle of "one country, two systems" would not necessarily change come 2047. But now, I dont think I will ever be able to go back. But recent tensions with Beijing and the strict zero Covid strategy have had many asking if the city is losing its appeal with international companies. The Chinese embassy in the U.K. issued a swift rebuttal to what it described as "groundless slanders. The citys judicial system is separate from mainland Chinas. Now, observers say, there is slim hope for a more democratic political system and they fear that the character of the city has fundamentally changed, with Beijing in full control. U.K. Says China Breached Hong Kong Handover Treaty Yet Again He used to play rugby in Hong Kong. "Most Hong Kong people think that 'one country, two systems' has already disappeared," says Ted Hui, a former pro-democracy lawmaker who has fled the city. Hong Kong is to ban all flights from the UK to curb the spread of the Delta variant of Covid. It feels the same in some, different in others. And that is really, I think, the essence of what I'm trying to fight for, is to continue and sustain the bond I have with people I love and the city I love. What we have been treated is the other way round, I would say. VideoArmageddon: The 3,000-year-old city behind the biblical story. In the years following the white papers release, Beijing laid the groundwork for a security counteroffensive. Stay informed and spot emerging risks and opportunities with independent global reporting, expert Hong Kong ceded to the British - HISTORY Nobody was willing to grab this hot potato, Professor Tian said. The NPC passed a measure at the time that stipulated the four opposition members would immediately lose their seats in Hong Kongs legislative council, which prompted almost the entire pro-democracy camp to announce their resignations. Friends and families turn out in droves to see them off grandparents hand out lucky money in red envelopes to grandchildren, aunts and uncles joke with children to lighten the otherwise melancholic mood. The U.K. responded to the passing of the security law by offering Hong Kong residents a path to British citizenship. Its much cheaper in England compared with Hong Kong. If you do nothing, you will be auto-enrolled in our premium digital monthly subscription plan and retain complete access for 4,190 per month. She lives now in Washington, D.C., where she directs the nonprofit Hong Kong Democracy Council. Read about our approach to external linking. or Mr. Xi came to power in 2012 amid expectations in Hong Kong that he might be a pragmatic overseer, content to rely on the politicians and tycoons who had long served as Beijings surrogates. The 1st of July, 1997, will be a day worth remembering forever. The law was quickly passed on June 30, laying out four offenses separatism, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign powers with penalties up to life imprisonment. RUWITCH: Good question. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. There are more than 100,000 Chinese students in Britain, many of dubious loyalty to their own regime and therefore now at risk. Chiu, who had supported young protesters and campaigned for pro-democracy politicians some of whom are now in custody feared she too would be arrested if she stayed. RUWITCH: Yes, Xi said that everyone in Hong Kong needs to understand and support the fact that the Communist Party runs China, that Beijing ultimately has jurisdiction over the territory, even though it has autonomy to a certain extent, and that only, quote, unquote, "patriots" can administer Hong Kong. June 12, 2019, 3:53 PM. And the city in those five years has seen a ton of change and been through a lot. Video, Armageddon: The 3,000-year-old city behind the biblical story, Five moments in fraught Hong Kong-China relations, Hong Kong: 'We don't know where the red line is', The UK Hongkongers living in the shadow of the handover, Why business is not giving up on Hong Kong, Syrian government cancels BBC press accreditation, BBC star 'accused of paying teen for explicit photos', 'Tour de France is sad' after Cavendish crashes out, Latvia swears in EU's first openly gay president, Dutch government collapses over asylum row, USA forward Rapinoe to retire at end of season. "Right now, the possibility is gone. The ban on dissent now imposed by China on Hong Kong smashes the spirit and letter of the Sino-British treaty of 1984. How a British Passport Offers Escape for Hong Kongers: QuickTake It was a commemoration of the anniversary, the 25th anniversary, and the swearing in of Hong Kong's new chief executive, John Lee. Mainland China will say that you have to love the Chinese Communist party. She said she was going to the UK to study to be a psychologist, and was unlikely to return. (modern). But instead, I have to think about it as a long game. In 2020, Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong and changed the political landscape. Its hard to find a job doing what I did back in Hong Kong. Its the city where I grew up.. The most pressing concern of its rulers is that its neighbours within the Pacific basin should not threaten its political stability. Read about our approach to external linking. Here to stay: Colchesters Hongkongers on making new lives in the UK, Hong Kong exiles in UK unnerved by weak response to beating of protester, Hongkongers who fled to UK criticise lack of mental health support, UKmay extend visa scheme to young Hongkongers seeking refuge, British MPs call for law changes to help young Hongkongers flee to UK, Hongkongers need more help to settle in the UK, Employers seem baffled by this visa: Hongkongers who have fled to UK, UKnot doing enough to support those fleeing Hong Kong, advocacy group says. When we said goodbye to our parents the night before our departure, we thought it might be the last time we saw one another. Others proposed that China pass a law tailor-made for Hong Kong, bypassing political obstacles in the city. My wife and I decided to leave because we want to have children. All travellers Although Hong Kong is now part of the People's Republic of China, it remains a Special Administrative Region (SAR) with its own immigration controls. The former governor, Lord Patten, calls it Orwellian in its reach, not least in criminalising Chinas critics everywhere abroad. BLOCK: I'd like to have you both think forward a bit and think about whether you think change is possible in Hong Kong. Going back to what you talked about earlier about change, the only constant in life would be change, but it's the matter of how to make the change. Confrontation, celebration and confetti: Photos of the week, Oscar-winning Banshees pub opens for real, Gods, goatskins and drums: Morocco's mystical musicians, Armageddon: The 3,000-year-old city behind the biblical story. Given those considerations, he said, Chinese leaders didnt immediately set to work on solving the national security issue.. Residents fearing Chinas tightening grip are departing in droves, not knowing if they will be back. 5 Min Read HONG KONG (Reuters) - The Hong Kong government on Thursday confirmed a Reuters report that it had told 14 countries to stop accepting a British travel document that many of its. Here's a clip from his speech through a translator. I can't buy back the Hong Kong I used to have. Britain and America even fought wars to that end in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has strong backing from Beijing, but trust in the Hong Kong government is very low. For the past month, Ive been working as a regional coordinator for Hongkongers in Britain. Compared with emigrating to other countries, the costs are reasonable. One other debt of empire remains to be paid to Hong Kong, and Johnson was right this week to pay it. Beneath the usual hustle and bustle, Hong Kong has changed dramatically since the introduction of the law. But I wanted to make a fresh start here, so I decided to become a care worker. As Beijing's influence over the territory extends, many expat Brits are returning to a 'homeland' that they barely know. Everybody is frightened. To think we can sway authoritarian Beijing is fantasy. For a full comparison of Standard and Premium Digital, click here. I might be implicated under the [national security] law, she said. organisation Lee believes many distinctive features of Hong Kong remain - and will likely stay the same beyond 2047. When China adopted its own security law in 2015, the top security official in Hong Kong, Lai Tung-kwok, said the responsibility to enact laws in the city against crimes like treason and subversion would be fulfilled by local legislation. The administration, he said, has no plan to enact such laws. Notably absent was any talk of security legislation imposed directly by Beijing.

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