Boris Johnson Sings the Same Song About Hong Kong, 25 Years After the Handover
“We’re Not Shutting the Door – We’re Keeping the Promise”
On the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover, Prime Minister Boris Johnson erupted in a video post that one thing’s clear: China’s not keeping its word.
- “Beijing has been failing to respect the ‘one country, two systems’ pact,” Johnson said, sounding as if he’d just dropped the mic.
- He called the national‑security law of 2020 the biggest legal minefield and said the shift in elections was poisoning the pot of freedom.
- “If you’re looking at Hong Kong’s future, this isn’t just a political check‑in; it’s a thriving city at risk,” he added, hinting at a slowdown in the city’s global status.
China’s Counter‑Pitch
China’s diplomats are not sharing the polite tone. They’ve retorted that the UK is deliberately meddling in what they consider internal matters and accused Britain of bowing to a colonial “specter.”
Objectives That Cancel the Monopoly
Despite the backlash, Johnson has kept a splinter of hope in the shape of a new immigration route for holders of British National (Overseas) passports.
- Last year, nearly 120 000 Hong Kongers signed up for the scheme, a testament that the desire for a safe haven is very real.
- The British government promises “all‑out” engagement, urging China to honour the historical promise.
Xi Jinping’s Historic Visit
President Xi’s first steam‑roller trip to Hong Kong after two years is not just a pep‑talk for Beijing’s main fan base; it’s a sun‑set review of the handover pact.
Boris says the UK will push for a Hong Kong where the local people truly run their own show, for the people of Hong Kong, and not in a boardroom far away.
