Tenberal correspondent Simon Wong reports:

In an interview with the Associated Press, former Democratic Party Chairman Wu Chi-wai shared details of his recent trip to the United Kingdom. Wu is a political activist from Hong Kong, previously imprisoned for over five years for the controversial national security law in Hong Kong. Wu was released last month and he was planning to visit the UK. Upon arrival, UK Border Force officials detained him, confiscated his passport, and initially issued a notice that he could be deported back to Hong Kong within seven days, this is likely because he held a criminal record in Hong Kong. Then, the Home Office made an exception, but the change means that Wu is still required to leave the UK after a week despite his original return flight to Hong Kong was initially set for November, which was later found rescheduled to Wednesday without his consent. Neither the UK Home Office nor the airline responded immediately to requests for comment on Sunday. Fortunately, thanks to human right lawyer Paul Harris and the final British governor of Hong Kong Lord Chris Patten and numerous other non-governmental organisation, the UK Home Office allowed Wu to stay as a visitor to the UK from Hong Kong, with an extended stay of up to six weeks.

Wu expressed that his primary reason for traveling to London was to see his wife and son, who moved to the UK in 2022. While he ultimately hopes to live with his family in the UK over the long term, he denied that he is currently applying for asylum. He voiced deep concern over whether his current travel record might affect his ability to enter the UK and visit his family again in the future.

Upon arriving in London, Wu was able to reunite with his wife and son, a moment during which all three cried tears of joy. However, this long-awaited family reunion faces being cut short after just a few days. During their time apart, communication had been limited, with letters taking nearly a month to travel back and forth. Wu also reflected on the personal grief of losing both of his parents while separated from his family.

Most Hong Kongers tend to enter the UK using their British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] passports, a status established before Britain handed Hong Kong back to Chinese authority. Under the scheme, BN(O) status holders can live, work, and study in the UK, leading to permanent settlement after five years and full British citizenship after one additional year (the "5+1" pathway). This route is a legitimate and legal way to enter the UK after made into law as agreed cross-party with 100% support, in 2020, following the introduction of the national security law - described as "clear and serious breach" to international obligation.

Prior to his departure, Tenberal News understands that he explicitly notified the British Consulate in Hong Kong in writing regarding his travel plans and potential entry complications due to his conviction under the National Security Law. He took this step precisely because he knew that standard border systems flag anyone with a multi-year prison record.

This is even criticise by right-wing media, GB News, for threatening to deport a Hong Kong political prisoner, miscommunication between governmental departments and when comparing to how Home Office dealt with illegal migrants, their attitude is much softer.

In a YouGov survey in 2021, almost half of Britons gave support for the BN(O) visa route that allows Hong Kongers to permanently stay in the UK and 43% believe that Hong Kongers will being a positive impact to the UK. In fact, multiple official reports and independent economic analyses demonstrate that the arrival of British National (Overseas) visa holders provides a significant net positive boost to the UK’s GDP and overall economy. The Home Office initially estimated that the BN(O) visa route would generate a net economic benefit of £2.4 billion to £2.9 billion over five years after accounting for public service usage, while broader projections from the Centre for Economics and Business Research suggested potential long-term GDP additions between £12 billion and £40 billion. Beyond direct productivity and employment, BN(O) arrivals bring substantial capital into the country—including an estimated £4 billion in released Hong Kong pension savings alongside personal wealth transfers and real estate investments—while their high levels of education and skill directly enrich the UK's labor market and local tax bases.

In just two years of time, 73% Britons show supports for BN(O) scheme and 50% even willing to participate and support the Hong Kong disappora in local functions and activities.

"Hong Kongers are not illegal migrants," Tenberal analysts said.

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