Raab: UK 'can't force' China to allow BNOs to leave HK

The United Kingdom's foreign secretary said little could be done to force China to allow Hong Kongers with British National Overseas status from coming to the UK permanently.

Britain announced on Wednesday that it was extending residency rights for up to 3 million Hong Kongers eligible for the British National Overseas passport, after Beijing imposed a sweeping new national security law.

In an interview on ITV's Peston programme on Wednesday evening, Dominic Raab described the law as a "human rights" issue.

He said that while there is diplomatic leverage that can be used with China, "we need to be honest that we wouldn't be able to force China to allow BN(O)s (British National (Overseas) citizens) to come to the UK."

About 370 people were arrested during and after Wednesday’s protests which took place on the day the new law came into effect, including 10 on suspicion of violating the new security law.

Some of those arrested allegedly possessed materials that advocated Hong Kong’s independence.