Mayor offers warm welcome to Hongkongers arriving in London

On 22 July 2021, The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has offered a warm welcome and a message of support to Hongkongers who have begun arriving in the capital.

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In the press release and public statement, The Mayor of London said he is determined to ensure that the support is city-wide and is working with local authorities, communities and organisations to design the services that may be needed. He will also be working with organisations, including Hong Kong Arc, Hongkongers in Britain, Hackney Chinese Community Services and Refugees Welcome to discuss how best to support the community and address any concerns they may have.

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“I want to be very clear to Hongkongers and their families who have begun arriving in the capital that they are very welcome in London. Our city has a proud history of being home to people from many different backgrounds, and I’m committed to doing all I can to help them settle in London. By working alongside the Government, local authorities, communities and community organisations we will ensure that suitable support is available right across the capital so that they can quickly feel part of our great city.”

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Sadiq Khan

The Mayor of London

“Government funding is helping to ensure that new arrivals from Hong Kong have the best start to their new lives – assisting them to find a home, a school place for their children and employment – here in London and across the country. The Government is creating 12 virtual welcome hubs across the UK, backed by £43 million, to give BNO status holders the practical help they need to establish themselves. It’s my sincere hope that these families will find the UK a place they can call home.”

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Robert Jenrick

Communities Secretary

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“It is an honour to work with the Mayor of London in designing and providing necessary support to Hong Kong new arrivals. We are delighted to see that the mayor is living up to the spirit of Britain’s cosmopolitan capital, showing openness and acceptance to the British National (Overseas) families amidst their desperate hope for their new lives in a liberal democracy. Hongkongers in Britain (HKB) is committed to making the voices of British Hongkongers equally respected and listened to in the UK, along with others.”

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Simon Cheng & Julian Chan

Founders of Hongkongers in Britain

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Full press release, please find:

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayor-offers-warm-welcome-to-hongkongers

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 It is estimated that 5.4 million Hongkongers and their dependents hold the BN(O) status. It is reported that during the first 10 months of 2020, some 216,398 BN(O) passports were issued, roughly 5 per minute. The UK Government estimated that about 600,000 will arrive in the UK to take advantage of the BN(O) Pathway to Citizen scheme. 

Hongkongers in Britain (HKB) was invited by the Greater London Authority (GLA) to draw up recommendations for services that should be made available to incoming immigrants. In partnership with organisations Hackney Chinese Community Services (HCCS) and the Hong Kong Assistance and Resettlement Community (HKARC), the group drafted a nine-page report, which it presented in January at a meeting with the GLA, the Metropolitan Police, and London Councils.

On their website, Greater London Authority (GLA) introduced our work, as well as the cooperation with Hackney Chinese Community Services and HKARC, on its official website.

https://www.london.gov.uk/city-hall-blog/supporting-hong-kong-arrivals

Full Report:

Last Updated: 22-07-2021
The report is accurate as of the last update.