Boris Johnson Makes a Bold Move on Hong Kong
Allowing entry to up to 3 million Hong Kong citizens will right a historic wrong and give Britain a talent boost. Provided Johnson follows through.
Security.
Photographer: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFPBoris Johnson declared on Wednesday that China’s draconian new security law in Hong Kong was a “clear and serious breach” of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. It was among the strongest statements he’s made as U.K. prime minister and potentially one of the most defining, provided he follows through. It’s in Britain’s long-term interest that he does.
In response to the new law, the U.K. will offer sanctuary to Hong Kong citizens born before it handed back the colony in 1997. Johnson had threatened the measure before, without providing much detail. But as demonstrators were being arrested this week, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announced a “bespoke” immigration plan, which will entitle nearly 3 million people to so-called British National (Overseas) status and have their rights extended significantly.