Since the enforcement of the National Security Law in Hong Kong in June 2020, tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents have sought safety in England. The law restricts basic rights such as freedom of assembly and press freedom, using broad terms like terrorist activities or the overthrow of state power to justify crackdown. As a result, many pro‑democracy and freedom of expression advocates have fled Hong Kong to avoid persecution by the Chinese government. The most recent developments underscore this ongoing pressure, with a proposal this week that ties government recognition and rewards to the arrest of activists who have escaped, along with the detention of four teenagers alleged to be supporting exiled peers from the former colony.
Britain has issued more than 166,000 special visas since January 2021, under a program that grants legal status to almost three million citizens of Hong Kong under the British National (Overseas) regime. The number of visas continues to climb, with estimates from the UK Home Office suggesting that roughly 300,000 people, about 10% of all eligible individuals, may be living in the United Kingdom by 2026.
security threatened
Julian Chan, co‑founder and head of Public Relations for Hongkongers in Britain, notes that the safety of Hong Kong residents in the UK remains a central concern for his organization. He warns that physical attacks have already occurred. He points to incidents where supporters of the Beijing government, including mainland Chinese students, disrupted peaceful protests in places such as Southampton. These matters, he says, have involved provocations by Chinese citizens and reflections of a broader tension in the diaspora. This account is shared with EL PERIÓDICO, part of the Prensa Ibérica group.
Chan asserts that some of these episodes involve actions by individuals linked to diplomatic circles in the country. He cites the Chinese government’s decision to recall six diplomats from the Manchester Consulate amid British police inquiries into their alleged involvement in an assault on a protester. Hong Kong organizations are also delaying document renewals at the Chinese embassy for fear of retaliation. “Many fear for their safety and choose to remain in England, pursuing British citizenship five years later,” Chan contends.
Psychological harm
The sense of insecurity has a measurable psychological impact on many newcomers. A survey by Hongkongers in Britain found that nearly one in four Hong Kong residents in the UK report symptoms consistent with post‑traumatic stress tied to the mass protests of 2019 and the implementation of national security measures. The problem is worsened for those who entered without visas or fall outside the visa program, leaving them without the economic and health support provided by the British government.
Concerns extend to welfare for family and friends remaining in Hong Kong, not only for dissidents but also for those who might be pressured into collaborating with Beijing. Chan warns that forms of passive resistance are under scrutiny, and many families are choosing to relocate to protect their children’s education from external influence and propaganda.
Travel without return
The arrival of Hong Kong residents in London has marked a new chapter in the city’s relations with Beijing. British officials this week described some exiles as “runaways,” a term the Chinese embassy in London used to insist that Beijing would not recognize these individuals’ documents and would treat the matter as an attack on China’s sovereignty. The embassy framed the move as an infringement on Hong Kong and China’s internal affairs.
In response to UK protections, Beijing stated that it would not recognize documents issued to Hong Kong exiles, while a UK government survey indicated a strong majority of visa program beneficiaries plan to stay in the UK beyond their visas, with many considering indefinitely. This outcome is viewed by many as a potential long‑term shift in migration and labor patterns across the region.
From a Canadian and American perspective, these developments offer a real signal about how Western immigration and asylum policies intersect with regional security narratives. The influx of skilled Hong Kong residents is seen by observers as a possible boost to host economies, given the high levels of education among entrants and their potential to contribute to growth. Authorities in the UK have estimated that qualified arrivals could yield meaningful fiscal and cultural returns, while communities adapt to increased integration challenges and opportunities. Chan emphasizes a genuine appetite among newcomers to engage with local communities and share Hong Kong culture, highlighting the potential for positive cultural exchange alongside economic gains. Overall, the situation underlines the importance of clear, humane asylum pathways and robust resettlement support for refugees and long‑term residents alike.