In response to British action over immigration facilitation for residents of Hong Kong, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Beijing would not recognize British passports of Hong Kong citizens.

Iran PressAsia: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin on Thursday condemned the British government's move, saying: "China will prevent Hong Kong citizens from entering its territory with a British passport known as the 'BNO' or 'British Overseas Citizenship Scheme'.

The Chinese embassy in London also issued a statement on Thursday calling for an end to British interference in Hong Kong.

The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently promised to facilitate the migration of Hong Kong residents to the UK  in response to the ratification of the Hong Kong National Security Act in the Chinese Parliament which the UK considers it in violation of the UN Charter and as an interfering act in the internal affairs of independent countries.

The Chinese parliament recently passed the Hong Kong National Security Act.

The law targets separatists and those who intend to carry out terrorist operations and interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

Hong Kong has seen anti-government protests in recent months, and protesters sabotaged some government buildings in the area.

Instead of condemning the protesters, the United States and its allies, including the UK, have criticized the way Chinese security forces dealt with the protesters, arguing that if Beijing does not respect freedoms in Hong Kong, it will have to wait for serious consequences.

Hong Kong was under British rule from 1842 to 1997 but joined China in 1997 after the end of a previous treaty with Britain.

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