China said Friday that it would not recognize the British National Overseas (BNO) passport as a valid travel document or for proof of identity from January 31.
The announcement came as Britain prepares to take in millions of residents from Hong Kong following China’s security crackdown in the former colony.
“From January 31, China will no longer recognize the so-called BNO passport as a travel document and ID document, and reserves the right to take further actions,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters.
Beijing’s decision to impose a national security law in June prompted the UK to last year offer refuge to almost three million Hong Kongers eligible for the BNO passport from January 31.
By DW News
