UK Home Secretary meets with exiled Hong Kong activist

Britain’s Home Secretary met with exiled Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law Wednesday to discuss situation in Chinese territory as well as new British immigration policies intended to help people wishing to leave city amid concerns about Beijing’s tightening grip.

Priti Patel was first British Cabinet minister to meet with Law, who fled his hometown before a warrant for his arrest was issued by Beijing.

“ United Kingdom will stand by people of Hong Kong and keep our promise to protect and uphold ir freedoms,” Patel said in a statement after meeting.

Britain anunced in July that it would offer a special route to citizenship for up to 3 million Hong Kongers eligible for British National Overseas passport. Authorities stressed that Britain would uphold its historic duty to former British colony after Beijing imposed a sweeping new national security law in city.

Activists, former lawmakers and a media tycoon have been arrested under law, which critics say is boldest move yet by Beijing to crack down on civil liberties promised to Hong Kong when it returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

People from Hong Kong currently can come to U.K. for six months without a visa. Under new policy, all those eligible for B passport will have right to live and work in country for five years.

Beijing has criticized U.K.’s offer and complained of British interference in its domestic affairs.

Law said policy “means a lot to Hong Kong people” because it “helps m to live free from political persecution.”

Also at meeting was Beatrice Li, sister of activist Andy Li, who was among 12 people detained in China since August after attempting to flee to Taiwan.

“We thank Home Secretary, and hope that U.K. will do more in face of total destruction of our way of life,” she said.