Hong Kong politicians and tycoons pressed to give up foreign passports for NPC seats: FT

China is pressing politicians and business tycoons in Hong Kong to renounce their passports or travel documents issued by other countries if they want a seat in the National People’s Congress, the Financial Times reports. 

The report was published Monday, the second day of the NPC annual session, citing a new delegate, a former delegate and another person briefed on the selection process. 

“At least one NPC delegate intending to seek another term was denied a seat because they held a BNO (British National Overseas),” according to the report.

While Beijing had previously said that BNO holders were eligible for the NPC, the move is to send out a message to the candidates that “either you give it [the passport] up or you don’t run,” the report quoted another former delegate saying so.

The FT also spoke to Lau Siu-kai, vice-president of the Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies, who said holding foreign passports or travel documents could be a security risk as China is facing increasing national security threats from the US and the west.

“When Britain has been offering BN(O) as a pathway to residency and citizenship … it creates questions of loyalty,” Lau said. 

The report also referred to previous remarks of former chief executive Leung Chun-ying that all political figures in Hong Kong should give up foreign passports.

(Financial Times / staff reporter)