Retaliation for British BN(O) visa scheme, Hong Kong election overhaul discussed on sidelines of meeting of top legislative body: source

While the measures were not formally deliberated, they were reportedly addressed by officials attending the National People’s Congress Standing Committee session

A mainland source also said Beijing would include both the BN(O) issue and Hong Kong’s electoral shake-up as one package to be scrutinised by the NPC in March

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Retaliation for Britain’s visa scheme offering Hongkongers a path to citizenship was discussed on the sidelines of a NPCSC meeting, the Post has learned. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 11:29pm, 22 Jan 2021Updated: 12:06am, 23 Jan 2021

Top Beijing officials have discussed proportionate ways to retaliate against London’s new pathway for Hong Kong residents to acquire British citizenship, as well as overhauling the city’s electoral system ahead of its next leadership race in 2022, the Post has learned.

The revelation came as China’s top legislative body, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee (NPCSC), concluded a three-day meeting in Beijing on Friday without formally deliberating or deciding on any Hong Kong issues.

According to Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the NPCSC, the standing committee endorsed a series of mainland bills, including legislation on animal quarantine and marine police, as well as a resolution on establishing a financial court in the capital.

“I have not heard about the central government’s plan to take drastic actions on Hong Kong people’s nationality issue … I think Beijing will be very careful about the issue, and tackle it step-by-step after considering various factors,” he said.

Tam added that he did not want to speculate on what action Beijing could take.

Tam Yiu-chung, Hong Kong’s sole delegate to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. Photo: Handout