A report by The Times has revealed that Chinese spies have been attempting to enter the United Kingdom (UK) by taking advantage of a visa programme offered by the UK government for those wanting to escape Hong Kong and resettle in Britain.
Government officials reportedly told the newspaper that they are aware of sleeper agents applying for British National (Overseas) visas under the pretence of seeking refuge from China’s authoritarian ways. Sleeper agents are spies that are planted into the target country but do not undertake immediate missions. Instead, they act as a potential asset if “activated.”
“There are stringent background checks in place for the visa application—and they’re in place for a reason,” government sources told the newspaper. They added that “the vetting process for the BNO visa scheme is much more thorough than any other.” The UK Home Office stated: “There are safeguards in place throughout the application process to ensure it is free from abuse and helps those most in need. The BNO visa route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong.”
Earlier this year, the Boris Johnson administration opened the UK’s borders to residents of Hong Kong, its former colony, by introducing a new visa scheme that allows millions of Hong Kongers to apply for resettlement in the UK. Under the system, five million Hong Kongers, including their dependents, have the right to remain in the UK for five years, during which time they can work or study. Following this period, they can apply for “settled status” and become eligible to apply for citizenship after an additional year.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the scheme “stood up for freedom and autonomy—values both the UK and Hong Kong hold dear” and honoured the UK’s “profound ties of history and friendship” with Hong Kong.
So far, more than 300,0000 Hong Kong residents have applied for the visa. The British government estimated that almost 5.4 million Hong Kongers, about 72% of the autonomous region’s 7.5 million population, are eligible for the visa.
The UK first introduced the new visa route last July, after protests broke out in Hong Kong against China’s “draconian” national security law that extends power to the Hong Kong government to detain and arrest pro-democracy protesters and activists under the garb of national security. As China’s encroachment on Hong Kongers’ way of life and civil liberties becomes increasingly “unbearable,” activists have been fleeing the region out of fear of being incarcerated for their pro-democracy views and activities. In addition, the police have also been criticised by activists for brutality and the “use of excessive violence.”
As of now, it remains unclear if any of these sleeper agents have been able to enter the UK successfully.