Background
The advisory is made in response to concerns regarding the safety and security of individuals within Hokorian Serenia, which has an open border with the Chinese specially administrated region of Hong Kong, and is in direct response to Hong Kong national security law and actions by the authorities.
The broadly interpretable 2020 National Security law and the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance cover offences including:
- secession
- subversion
- organisation and perpetration of terrorist activities
- collusion with a foreign country
- treason
- sedition
- unlawful disclosure of state secrets
- external interference endangering national security
The laws apply to individuals living in Hong Kong and individuals living elsewhere in the world, with authorities issuing arrest warrants (sometimes with rewards) for individuals living outside of Hong Kong. They have a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Both individuals and organisations may be subject to the laws.
Individuals have been prosecuted and detained for expressing comments that are critical of the Hong Kong Government or the Chinese Government- this includes for posting comments online.
The authorities in Hong Kong do not recognise the Hokorian State, or Hokorian Serenia. It is interpretable that Hokorian Serenia’s self-declared independence could breach Hong Kong national security law.
Advisory
Their Majesty’s Royal Office, the Ministry of National Affairs and the Ministry of International Affairs publish the following advice for individuals to follow, or at the very least consider, when within Hokorian Serenia.
- Individuals should avoid the expression of views that are interpretable as critical of the Hong Kong Government or the Chinese Government.
- Individuals should be aware of International advice for Hong Kong when within Hokorian Serenia.
- Individuals should avoid participating in protests against the Hong Kong Government or the Chinese Government.
- Individuals should avoid using the internet without using a VPN (virtual private network), and should take steps to separate their identity from their internet activity.
- The Government and public bodies should avoid releasing material that is directly critical of the Hong Kong Government or the Chinese Government.
In addition to following the advice above, it’s important to consider taking additional steps to keep yourself safe in emergency situations.
Additional resources
Their Majesty’s Royal Office and the Ministry of National Affairs publish the following resources for individuals to consider.
Moving from Hong Kong to the UK
The Ministry of National Affairs endorses Migration Yorkshire as a charitable organisation that supports Hong Kongers with adjusting and moving to the Yorkshire and Humber area. Migration Yorkshire is based in Leeds, a city in West Yorkshire. They offer support for migrants from lots of backgrounds, including Hong Kongers and have a ‘welcome programme’ as well as many other services such as support with employment, health and wellbeing, housing and learning English.
Hong Kong Aid is an organisation located in London, the English capital, and provides similar services and support whilst being focused specifically on Hong Kongers.
Moving to the UK would require application through the UK government’s Home Office. For more information, visit the UK government’s visas and immigration page. The Hokorian Government will be unable to provide direct support for seeking asylum and acquiring a visa in the UK, although we may be able to direct Hong Kongers to organisations that can.
