Boris Johnson pledges to let in 3 million Hong Kong citizens if needed

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday reiterated the UK's plans for some of the "biggest changes" to the country's visa system in order to allow around three million Hong Kong nationals a path to British citizenship if China does not back off over a new controversial national security law.

Writing in 'The Times', the UK prime minister said the offer would be triggered only if China presses ahead with the new law which threatens to strip the former British colony of its traditional freedoms.

An estimated 3,50,000 Hongkongers hold British National (Overseas) passports and another 2.5 million would be eligible to apply for them. At present, these BNO passports only allow visa-free access to the UK for up to six months.