Minister of State for Asia responds to CCP’s decision not to recognise Hong Kong BN(O) passports and says “We cannot submit a case to the Court without the consent of China, and it is very clear that China would not accept that.”

News Snapshot:

18 February 2021 Dear Lord Alton, Thank you for your correspondence of 22 January to Lord Ahmad about British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(O)s). I am replying as the Minister for Asia. I can assure you that we were disappointed, but not surprised, by the Chinese decision not to recognise BN(O) passports. However, those wishing to travel to the UK will be able to do so on any valid travel document, including a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport. There is no requirement for applicants to apply for, or hold, a valid BN(O) passport to apply for the BN(O) visa, although applicants...