Written Evidence Submitted by Witness E (VIS0005)

VIS0005 Written evidence submitted by Witness E (VIS0005) Further comments to the HASC [Note: This evidence has been redacted by the Committee. “***” represents redacted text.] 1. [***] there are still things to be said about 1) 18-23s; 2) integration on the whole; and 3) and student fees / access to student loans, with the following additions. 2. With regard to 18-23s, I think the situation in Hong Kong is still moving quickly, and it's not easy to gauge what might befall the young people who do not qualify under the BNO visa scheme. I think in light of the fact that the UK is one of the few places left with borders open, it might be an option to think of a policy for leave outside the Immigration Rules for Hongkongers who may wish to initial flee, but do not wish to settle in the UK, preferring perhaps to move to Taiwan, Canada, Australia. Many have come as visitors in the hope of leaving to other third countries, however, Covid has persisted. For example, even Taiwan which was opened has now closed again, although they are still accepting visa applications for those who have been offered study placements at Taiwanese institutes. 3. Although one may arguably look to Covid Assurance, this is not satisfactory because many of these Hongkongers do not wish to return to Hong Kong, but may just fall short of the asylum criteria, but yet they are stuck in the UK without an ability to work or study whilst waiting for other countries to open. The fact that there are also flights to Hong Kong now mean that Covid Assurance would not normally be available to Hongkongers. A temporary leave to remain outside the Immigration Rules policy for these people and allow them permission to work would be helpful to both them and the UK economy as we try to kick start spending. 4. There may also need to be a formal announcement from Home Office in relation to an "amnesty" for those who have been thus stuck here from Hong Kong, and an offer of some kind of application / specific information about what options are open to them, as there are anecdotes of some who have come here on visitor visas but have not been able to leave since due to other countries not opening up. This would be an example of how the Home Office can be compassionate, which is what the Home VIS0005 Secretary has been at pains to highlight as her aim, to create a compassionate Home Office. 5. In relation to integration, there is a massive need to ensure the safety of Hongkongers who have left Hong Kong on the BNO visa scheme. The authorities in Hong Kong and Beijing have already spoken out strongly against the BNO visa scheme, with the BNO visa not being accepted as proof of permanently leaving Hong Kong for the purposes of early withdrawal from the MPF (https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/11/228275/BNO-visa-can't- be-used-to-withdraw-MPF-funds- early#:~:text=A%20special%20visa%20that%20paves,the%20MPF%20Authority%20 confirmed%20yesterday.). With the rhetoric Beijing is pumping out about the BNO visa, there will be a need to ensure that rhetoric isn't acted upon by those in the United Kingdom, but sympathetic to Beijing. 6. There are concerns that they may seek to sideline, or ostracise, Hongkongers generally or those who are here on the BNO visa scheme. There has been made public a list of organisations and persons, many of whom are based in the UK, who have openly supported the National Security Law. [***] 7. There is clearly a concern of infiltration, and the Home Office and other Government departments would need to look at a holistic approach in dealing with such infiltrations. Such matters will go well-beyond simply the safety of Hongkongers, and will need to be reviewed broadly to ensure there is no undue CCP influence in communities and key industries, which may lead to an eventual national security threat. 8. I hope what has been happening in Hong Kong and what is happening across the world at the moment has made it obvious to the Government and MPs that there is a clear difference between Mainland Chinese and Hongkongers, in terms of culture, language, and even core values. As such, I think that it would be helpful to split up the category of "Chinese" in ethnicity questionnaires since there are, for example, Taiwanese and Hongkongers who have their own identities and cultural needs, which are not reflective of simply being lumped with "Chinese" for policy purposes. For example, Hongkongers and Taiwanese both use traditional Chinese script, whereas Mainland Chinese use simplified script. Hongkongers speak Cantonese whereas Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese speak Mandarin. VIS0005 9. The fact that there is such diversity means that simply calling everyone "Chinese" makes it difficult for the Government, both local and central, as well as civil society, to get an accurate grasp of the figures of those who may need services tailored towards the needs of Hongkongers specifically. 10. It would therefore be helpful for the list of recommended options for equal opportunities and ethnicity questionnaires to split up "Chinese", as this is most unhelpful in gathering useful statistics for the reintegration of Hongkongers. For example, it would also assist in the accurate allocation of BNO specific integration funding too so civil societies can make bids and applications for funding based on an accurate assessment of how many Hongkongers may be in need of assistances vs guessing and extrapolating from the number of "Chinese" as a whole. 11. Having an "other" option is not satisfactory because that assumes people will tick other, when "Chinese" is on the list, and they may simply see it as the closest fit, and therefore not tick the "other" option. June 2021.

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