Colonial Hangover and ‘Invited’ Migration: Hong Kongers to the UK
Apart from a period of Japanese occupation from 1941 to 1945, Hong Kong was a British Empire colony and dependent territory from 1841 to 1997. Only about 7,000 Chinese lived in Hong Kong at the time. After the Second Opium War in 1860, Hong Kong expanded to the Kowloon Peninsula, and in 1898, Britain gained a 99-year lease of the New Territories. With the lease’s expiration approaching in 1982, British and Chinese leaders discussed the handover. The British colony of Hong Kong was handed over to the People’s Republic of China on 1 July 1997. The relationship between China and Hong Kong as one country, two systems would continue until 2047 provided Hong Kong remained a special administrative region (SAR). The notion of one nation, two systems refers to Hong Kongers having a ‘great degree of autonomy, except in foreign and defence affairs, for 50 years under the People’s Republic of China’s rule.
Protests in Hong Kong over plans to allow extradition from Hong Kong to mainland China is going on since mid-2019. These reforms are seen as a threat to Hong Kongers’ freedom. The protesters expanded their demands for democratic reform and opposition to Beijing’s introduction of new national security law. Following the continued protests, the UK government invited over five million Hong Kong residents to relocate to the country. The purpose of this article is to delve into why the UK welcomes Hong Kong residents to apply for citizenship. During the economic impact of COVID-19 and Brexit on the UK, this invitation raises questions about its intention. Since the Brexit referendum, immigration has plummeted, perhaps resulting in a labour shortage. This study has significant policy implications for Hong Kong, China, and the UK.
The greater framework under which the UK handles foreign policy has shifted. For British policy in the Asia-Pacific region, the emergence of China has provided new chances and challenges, reinforcing the UK’s complex relationship with China, and including the opportunities presented by the bilateral UK–Hong Kong relationships, particularly in the commercial and financial spheres.
Evolving conditions in Hong Kong make it impossible to predict how many people would respond positively to the offer in the long term. China’s relationship with the UK is strained because the Chinese government views the UK’s invitation of the Hong Kongers constitutes a significant interference in the country’s internal affairs.
The decision to migrate over remains a difficult one for Hong Kong residents, as it may compromise the possibility of their future return if they so desire or if they fail to resettle in the UK successfully. They may be recognized once they have left Hong Kong by the authority. Hong Kong residents are unsure if they will be able to keep their Hong Kong passports after they go to the UK or if they will have to surrender their Hong Kong passport to obtain a British passport.
Authors feel that a slew of studies might be conducted to look deeper into the mobility pattern, volition and whether policy changes have anything to do with future Hong Kong–UK migration and how British society reacts to the (possible) enormous influx of Hong Kongers.
Article details:
Colonial Hangover and ‘Invited’ Migration: Hong Kongers to the UK
A. K. M. Ahsan Ullah , Muhammad Azizuddin
First Published May 20, 2022 Research Article
DOI: 10.1177/00208817221101222
From International Studies