As China prepares to take over Hong Kongeffectively ending the era of one country, two systemsother countries are struggling with how to respond.

One of the best responses has come from Great Britain. In acolumn for The Times, Prime Minister Boris Johnson proposed apath to British citizenship for nearly 3million Hong Kong residents. Johnson writes:

Many people in Hong Kong fear that their way of life which China pledged to uphold is under threat. If China proceeds to justify their fears, then Britain could not in good conscience shrug our shoulders and walk away; instead we will honor our obligations and provide an alternative.

The Washington Post reports that, Chinas Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that Britain has no jurisdiction over Hong Kong. Britain must step back from the brink and stop interfering in Hong Kongs affairs and Chinas internal affairs.

While Boris Johnsons plan is light on details, it provides atemplate for other countries responses to Chinas increasingly authoritarian takeover of Hong Kong. The threat of losing millions of talented citizens could motivate the Chinese government to ease its grip. Other countries should follow Great Britains lead and provide asafe haven for individuals whose lives and liberties are under threat by the Chinese Communist Party.

Read this article:

The United Kingdom Shows How to Combat China's Oppression of Hong Kong - Cato Institute