China deplores UK PM's 'interference' on Hong Kong

China hit out Wednesday at Britain's proposal to take in almost three million residents of Hong Kong, following Beijing's plan to impose a new security law on the territory. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said it amounted to gross interference in China's internal affairs. Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997.

Zhao said Hong Kong residents were enjoying "unprecedented rights and freedoms" as a result of the handover. UK prime minister Boris Johnson said around 350,000 Hong Kong citizens held British National Overseas (BNO) passports, a legacy of the colonial era, and 2.5 million others were eligible to apply for them. In response, long lines formed at DHL courier offices in Hong Kong as people rushed to apply for or renew their BNO passports.

Johnson said that if China goes ahead with the new security law, Britain would allow holders of BNO passports to remain in the UK for 12 months on a renewable basis and would grant them the right to work. This would place them on a possible path to UK citizenship. Zhao also commented on border tensions between China and India. He said China was committed to peace and stability in the region, and insisted there was no need for third-party mediation to resolve the issue.