“Hong Kong is no longer safe…I am no longer optimistic about Hong Kong anymore.” – Key Yeung, a former Hong Kong resident who left for the U.K in 2020

The 2019 and 2020  protests in Hong Kong caused by growing concerns that China would infringe upon its autonomy and the subsequent escalating tensions in the region has led the United Kingdom to initiate a new program that allows residents of Hong Kong to apply for a special visa program that could eventually bring them to UK citizenship.

This program is an offshoot of Hong Kong’s historical status as a British colony for 156 years, from 1841 to 1997, when its control was returned to mainland China. Since then, Hong Kong’s status has been a special Chinese administration region, allowing it to have its own constitution, laws, and rights that differ from the ones that Chinese citizens in other regions are entitled to.

Some of the economic and cultural differences between Hong Kong and China have led to conflicts with China. Notably, in recent years, various rights groups have argued that China has meddled with affairs in Hong Kong. China has increasingly had a hand in disqualifying Hong Kong legislators that are pro-democracy and has infringed on free press in the region. The most recent event that flared tensions between the two was the proposition to allow extraditions to mainland China. Now, China has announced a national security law for Hong Kong which has come into question since it contradicts Hong Kong’s own lawmaking process.

These events have led to more violent protests, which have led to Hong Kong residents deciding to leave due to growing concerns for their safety. This is where the U.K’s recently announced program comes in.

The program offers holders of British National Overseas passports (BNOs) the ability to move to the U.K. with 5-year visas. After a certain time in the U.K, they will be eligible to apply for citizenship. People born in Hong Kong before 1997, when it was still a British territory, were given BNOs that make them entitled to this program. An estimated 3 million people currently hold BNOs; however, it is estimated that only around 300,000 current Hong Kong residents will take advantage of this opportunity.

China’s initial response to the program was denouncing it, arguing that it violates international law and interferes with Chinese domestic affairs. In addition, China declared it would no longer recognize the BNO passports as valid documents for identification or travel.

Lastly, there are two main international financial impacts to this program. First, it is predicted that it may cost Hong Kong nearly $50 billion in capital outflows; however, it could boost the U.K. economy at its current state managing the impacts of Brexit and battling the COVID-19 pandemic. The program may also worsen the U.K’s relationship with China as tensions with the West continue to rise.

As it has been a month since the announcement of this program, there have been mixed responses by Hong Kong residents. Some residents are eager to take advantage of this new opportunity to move to the U.K. amid the violence in Hong Kong and pandemic, while others are more hesitant and would rather stay in Hong Kong and wait out the current tensions.