Hong Kong is now not British, by no means actually was, and it’s time to let go of all our hypocritical, nostalgic colonial nonsense

The UK’s supply of residency to a few million residents of “Honkers” is guilt-driven meddling in affairs which can be now not British. Unusually, there isn’t any worldwide outcry at this show of diplomatic double requirements.

Having left Hong Kong within the lurch as soon as already, when it handed the colony over to China following the expiration of its 99-year lease, Britain is in search of to make issues worse with a proposal of not-quite citizenship to a few million of its folks.

These of us are the Hong Kong Chinese language who certified for the booby prize of British nationwide (abroad) standing permitting them to… properly, nothing actually. The standing has no tangible profit.

However British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in an ostentatious present of generosity, has provided these residents of Hong Kong who would possibly select now as a great time to go away their homeland the chance of coming to dwell within the UK visa-free for 12-months after which, perhaps, comply with that up with full citizenship, no guarantees thoughts you.

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This appears as engaging as these adverts for 3 pairs of elastic-waisted trousers for £29.99 which can be usually seen within the again pages of the Sunday newspapers.

Others – touched by some unusual nostalgia about “Honkers,” as we colonials used to name this distant a part of the Empire – need to go even additional, and provides all of them full citizenship instantly.

Let’s get this straight. We’re providing the industrious, entrepreneurial folks of Hong Kong the prospect to flee their lifelong dwelling for a brand new begin in post-pandemic Britain the place the economic system is in tatters and unemployment sky excessive. Don’t even ask in regards to the climate. 

Er, why didn’t we try this again in 1997 because the Union Jack was being folded up by Governor Chris Patten and the island handed again to the Chinese language?

However no, as an alternative we merely honoured the deal, handed over the native inhabitants like cattle, and walked away. Prince Charles and Governor Patten sailed off within the royal yacht Britannia after the handover ceremony satisfied they’d completed the correct factor.

It was clear all alongside that China would give scant regard to the “one nation, two methods” association that Britain believed it had left in place. And, actually, why ought to it? The place else on earth does this type of settlement work?

China was initially glad to let Hong Kong perform as a monetary centre and entrepreneurial hotbed, however when issues started to get out of hand and reform turned a problem, then after all the authorities would crack down and crack down exhausting. It’s, in spite of everything, their nation, their folks.

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Now, as Beijing strikes to impose a supposedly extra authoritarian system (aka bringing seven million folks beneath the identical system as 1.three billion fellow residents), Britain feels new guilt at leaving HK and decides the visa supply will make amends, whereas on the identical time sending a message to the Chinese language authorities that shifting away from the “one nation, two methods” mannequin just isn’t acceptable.

It’s completely comprehensible that China is likely to be puzzled. It’s not as in the event that they haven’t made it fairly plain since July 1, 1997 that “Honkers” is theirs and – duh! – exists beneath their rule and nothing has been stated. Extra like one rule, two methods.

And the place is the remainder of the world piling in on Britain for trying to meddle in one other nation’s regional affairs? Isn’t this precisely the type of problem which stirs diplomats to excessive dudgeon and prompts them to problem lofty opinions and veiled threats?

Think about if it had been Russia! Ha, that will be enjoyable! Have a look at the way in which the USA launched into them over its supply of Russian citizenship to the folks of japanese Ukraine in 2019. 

“Russia, by means of this extremely provocative motion, is intensifying its assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” was how the US State Division’s assertion noticed issues again then.

Are you able to think about Washington saying one thing related over Hong Kong in 2020? “Britain, by means of this extremely provocative motion, is intensifying its assault on China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the State Division doesn’t say in an announcement.

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For years, Hong Kong has maintained a status as a spot for brand spanking new enterprise and entrepreneurs pushed by a dynamic inhabitants. The market is huge and energetic, issues occur rapidly and it’s an thrilling place to be.

Then you could have Britain, which has, properly, none of these attributes.

Frankly, if it’s a brand new begin they’re after they’d be much better off heading to Australia or Canada, the place the Hong Kong diaspora already exists in massive communities somewhat than take up the supply of perhaps having their very own low-regulation “metropolis” right here someplace good up north as recommended by one free-thinker, or down on the south coast, as recommended by one other.

That is the type of bonkers considering that the federal government right here comes up with following a rash response to a state of affairs rising in a spot far-off of which there isn’t any actual grasp of precisely what’s going on.

However it’s an occasion that’s made for soundbites. And subsequently excellent for giant, arms-flung-wide gestures of guarantees of fellowship and everlasting friendship. In truth, it’s made for the showman that’s Boris Johnson.

Whereas many individuals within the UK will already know this, these in Hong Kong who haven’t but obtained the measure of our PM will catch on quickly. There’s a very apposite English phrase for it, and for him, particularly given his philandering methods: he’s all discuss and no trousers.

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