China may not recognise British-issued Hong Kong passports

The standard and uniform of the former British Governors of Hong Kong (Kin Cheung/AP)

China’s foreign ministry says it may decide not to recognise British-issued passports for Hong Kong residents in retaliation to London’s moves to open a path to citizenship for those holding the documents.

Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that Britain had “violated its promises” and “played up” the issue of the British National (Overseas) passports.