Beijing: China on Thursday condemned Britain for offering a route to residency for millions of Hong Kongers following the enactment of the territory's new national security law.
Stressing a legal and moral duty to its former colony, Britain on Wednesday announced it was extending residency rights for up to three million Hong Kongers eligible for British National Overseas passports, allowing them to live and work in the UK for five years.
"The British side disregarded China's solemn position and insisted on changing the policy to provide a path for relevant personnel to stay and naturalize in the UK, seriously violating their own commitment," said Zhao Lijian, China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson.
Read also: New route to UK entry for some Hong Kongers: Johnson
China expressed "strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition" to a bipartisan bill introduced by US lawmakers which would offer refugee status to Hong Kongers fearing political persecution from Beijing due to the new legislation.
Zhao said the US should immediately stop reviewing the bill otherwise it would result in "strong countermeasures" should it come into effect.
China has routinely dismissed all the criticism from governments and political leaders of western countries on the move to impose the national security law on Hong Kong.
"Compare the security of Hong Kong with our relations with other countries, it is clear at a glance which one is more important," said Zhao.
He also warned Australia "not to go further down the wrong path", in response to the report the latter may follow the US by offering similar status to Hong Kongers.
AP
