The British side has breached its promises and shown pure hypocrisy in manipulating the issue of the British National Overseas (BNO) passport, the Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) said Tuesday.
The British government announced recently a 43-million-British-pound (59-million-U.S. dollar) package to facilitate employment and settlement of Hong Kong BNO status holders in Britain.
The spokesperson of the office said in a statement that the British side has breached its promises by providing relevant people with a pathway to settlement and citizenship.
It constitutes an outright interference with Hong Kong affairs, which are China's internal affairs, and a flagrant violation of international law and basic norms governing international relations, the spokesperson said, adding that China has voiced firm opposition multiple times and taken strong countermeasures.
Whatever the pretexts or maneuver tactics may be, the British side has openly reneged on its commitment and laid bare sheer hypocrisy, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the Hong Kong people who truly love the country and the city are not easily fooled, nor will China's determination to fully and faithfully implement "one country, two systems" and staunchly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests waver.
The spokesperson urged the British side to shake off the colonialist mindset, respect the history, face reality and stop meddling with Hong Kong affairs and warned that otherwise it would only further damage its own image and interests in Hong Kong. Enditem
