“Ivy Chung, 52, told her 71-year-old mother that she was preparing to leave Hong Kong with her husband and two sons to go to England. He explained that he was leaving for the future of his children, not for a political issue, but his old mother objected, saying, “The expansion of British immigration is a fraud. Despite the long conversation, the family’s conflict has not been resolved.” (Hong Kong South China Morning Post report)
The Chinese New Year, the biggest holiday in China, is approaching, but many families in Hong Kong are upset. Maybe this is the last holiday in Hong Kong. An increasing number of people are planning to immigrate to the so-called’Hong Kong Exit’.
![A citizen is waving the flag of British Hong Kong in front of a protester holding a flag with the phrase'Liberty Hong Kong' written on it. [로이터=연합뉴스]](https://i0.wp.com/pds.joins.com/news/component/htmlphoto_mmdata/202102/12/f0454e16-f135-4278-b194-8c5d050128f9.jpg?w=560&ssl=1)
A citizen is waving the flag of British Hong Kong in front of a protester holding a flag with the phrase’Liberty Hong Kong’ written on it. [로이터=연합뉴스]
Earlier, on the 31st of last month (local time), the British government began measures to expand migration to 5.4 million Hong Kongers and their families born before 1997 when Hong Kong was returned to China. The plan was put into action after China entered into force last year’s Hong Kong Security Law.
The period of stay in the UK for Hong Kongers with overseas citizens (BNO) passports was increased from 6 months to 5 years, and after 5 years, they were granted settlement status and applied for citizenship. Employment, which has been banned, is also allowed. The UK government expects up to 1 million people to migrate to the UK over the next five years.
On the 8th, the Canadian government also launched a special three-year open work visa program for Hong Kongers with university graduates or higher. After one year of employment, you can apply for permanent residence.
As a result, more and more people are preparing to immigrate to the UK and sharing information. Gabin Mok, who worked as a fund manager in Hong Kong, opened a YouTube channel to introduce the process after moving to the UK with her two daughters, aged 9 and 11, in October last year. These are introductory videos for real life in other places, such as the process of finding a house and how to buy groceries.
Gavin Mok, a Hong Kong resident who moved to the UK in October last year, introduces British groceries. YouTube capture
He, who participated in the Hong Kong democracy protests, told HKFP, “Freedom was the most important condition. “I have felt severe pressure since the enforcement of the security law,” he said. “I am ready to get a low-wage job.”
However, over the issue of immigration, labor is also occurring within each family. Because it is difficult to find a job in the UK right away, only one of the couples leaves with their children, or elderly parents who are difficult to settle in a new environment often remain in their home country. There are children who have already settled in place, so there are times when the children are separated. According to SCMP reports, the family of Hong Kong banker Pong, 55, is preparing to head to the UK with her 23-year-old daughter in Hong Kong, who has just entered the Judicial Research Institute.
It is not too expensive to immigrate right away. In order to apply for a BNO visa, in addition to the cost of staying in the UK for 6 months, an application fee of HK$2656 (approximately 380,000 won) and HK$33,000 (approx. Regarding this, Betty Ryu (20, pseudonym) said, “I am not born in a wealthy family, so my options are limited.”
British criticism statement posted on the website of the Hong Kong and Macau Office of the State Council of China on the 31st of last month. “It is the logic of unreasonable robbery that glorifies the history of aggression and colonial rule,” he strongly criticized Britain. China State Council website
Reporter Kim Hong-bum [email protected]