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China and Hong Kong both will not recognize the British National Overseas (BNO) passport as a valid document to travel from January, 31. Britain opened the new visa scheme on Sunday for the BNO passport holders to provide the fast track to get citizenship. BNO is the special status created in the British law for Hong Kong. UK announced the scheme last year for the people with BNO to study, live and work in Britain and after years can apply for citizenship.
It is expected that in the first five years 3,00,000 people will apply for the visa. There are an estimated 5 million people, including those who are dependents of eligible people, who can take up this offer. China earlier also warned the UK not to interfere in the domestic issue. Britain called that China disrespecting the treaty, after implementing security laws, under which Hong Kong was given to China in 1997 and they are fulfilling their commitments to the Hong Kong people.