‘Despicable and Reprehensible’: China Slams UK’s Hong Kong Visa Expansion After Jimmy Lai Sentencing
UK expands refuge pathways for Hongkongers, Beijing reacts angrily over what it calls interference in internal affairs.
The diplomatic storm between China and the United Kingdom has just intensified. Beijing has labeled the UK’s expansion of its Hong Kong visa program as “despicable and reprehensible”, following the sentencing of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison under China’s national security law.
The row highlights how sensitive Hong Kong’s political situation remains for Beijing, and how London is increasingly willing to offer refuge to Hongkongers amid growing concerns about civil liberties in the city.
What the UK Has Done
Earlier this February, the UK government announced an expansion of its British National (Overseas) visa scheme. This new version allows:
Children of BN(O) status holders to apply independently, even if they were minors at the 1997 handover.
Spouses and dependents of eligible applicants to join them in the UK.
Estimates suggest this could open the door for around 26,000 more people to move to Britain over the next five years.
UK officials say the move is both moral and historical, honoring a commitment to the people of Hong Kong at a time when freedoms are increasingly curtailed. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has urged China to consider humanitarian release for Jimmy Lai, who also holds British citizenship.
Beijing Hits Back
China’s response has been fierce. The Chinese Embassy in London accused the UK of blatant interference in China’s domestic affairs and insisted that Hong Kong’s judicial process is purely internal.
Official statements framed the UK’s expansion as a political maneuver designed to destabilize Hong Kong and encourage dissent. Beijing emphasized that the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 had already settled the matter of Hong Kong’s handover, dismissing the UK’s involvement as a lingering colonial mindset.
Analysts suggest China’s rhetoric — calling the UK’s actions “despicable and reprehensible” — serves both as a warning to Western nations and as a reminder that Hong Kong remains a core issue of national sovereignty.
A Humanitarian Lifeline
For the UK, the visa expansion is as much about humanitarian support as political signaling. Since the launch of the BN(O) route in 2021:
Over 170,000 people have relocated to the UK.
Nearly a quarter-million visas have been granted overall.
The expansion addresses gaps in eligibility and ensures that family members previously excluded can now join. Those under the new rules will also be eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain after five years — faster than many other migration routes.
For many in Hong Kong, this pathway represents hope amid a climate of political repression, highlighted by Jimmy Lai’s lengthy sentence. Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has become a symbol of the crackdown on press freedom in the city.
International Reactions
Jimmy Lai’s imprisonment and the UK’s visa policy have sparked global attention.
European Union, United States, Japan, and Australia have condemned the sentencing.
Calls for humanitarian release have been echoed, though governments differ in tone and approach.
London is trying to balance moral advocacy with practical diplomacy, raising Lai’s case in discussions with Chinese officials while continuing trade and strategic talks. This dual approach reflects the complexity of modern Sino-British relations.
Diplomatic Implications
The visa expansion represents a critical moment in the evolving relationship between the UK and China. On one hand, London is taking a firm moral stance, offering refuge to those facing political persecution. On the other, Beijing views the move as interference, heightening tensions between the two powers.
Observers say this episode may make future cooperation more strained. How both nations navigate these issues — balancing values, strategic interests, and international norms — will likely shape Sino-British relations in the coming years.
What This Means for Hongkongers
For Hongkongers considering leaving, the expanded BN(O) scheme is more than a visa—it’s a lifeline. The expansion makes it easier for families to stay together and provides a pathway to long-term settlement in the UK.
Jimmy Lai’s sentencing has made the stakes clearer than ever: those advocating for democracy in Hong Kong risk harsh penalties. For many, the UK’s offer represents a chance to start anew in a freer environment.
Conclusion
The UK’s expanded visa scheme for Hongkongers has put Beijing and London on a collision course. For the UK, it’s about standing by democratic values and offering refuge to those at risk. For China, it’s seen as an unacceptable challenge to sovereignty.
As Jimmy Lai begins his prison term, the ripple effects of this case are being felt far beyond Hong Kong — influencing migration policy, diplomatic ties, and international perceptions of China’s governance.
The situation underscores a stark reality: when human rights and politics collide, nations must navigate delicate waters, balancing moral action with the realities of diplomacy.
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