National security law: tears, fears, but a new life? Hong Kong early birds who have taken BN(O) path to Britain
- Some of the thousands who have already left say they are not put off by talk of Beijing ‘retaliation’
- Despite its Covid-19 crisis and rising jobless rate, Britain has eased entry rules for Hongkongers
From this weekend, Britain will start accepting applications from people with British National (Overseas) status for a new visa that would earn them a pathway to citizenship. In the first of a three-part series on the BN(O) visa, we meet some early birds who have already settled there.
The high-flyer had taken years to rise to his managerial position at a renowned bank. Married with two daughters aged 12 and 14, he just did not bother with politics.
“I never protested. I never posted anything considered pro-democracy on my Facebook page, but only about eating, drinking, and enjoying my life,” said Chan, in his 40s. “I am not a radical person. I was just a slick banker in Central.”
He resigned from his job last September, sold the family’s flat and car and moved last month with his homemaker wife and children to Kent, in southeast England, arriving at a time when Britain was reporting more than 30,000 Covid-19 infections a day.
Chan, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, took about HK$10 million to start afresh in their new home.