China has sharply criticized the U.K. after London expanded its British National Overseas (BNO) visa scheme for Hong Kong residents, calling the move “despicable” and an interference in China’s internal affairs, CNBC reported.

Axar.az reports that the expansion allows children of BNO status holders, who were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover, to apply independently for visas. The scheme was introduced in 2021, following Beijing's imposition of the national security law on Hong Kong. Since then, over 230,000 visas have been granted, and nearly 170,000 people have relocated to Britain.

The diplomatic dispute follows the sentencing of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison under Hong Kong’s national security law — the harshest sentence imposed under the legislation so far. Lai, a British citizen and founder of the now-closed Apple Daily newspaper, was convicted of colluding with foreign forces and publishing seditious materials, charges he denies.

The U.K. government said the case reflects a deterioration of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong and pledged to raise the issue further with Beijing. Hong Kong authorities defended the ruling, while the U.S. and other governments called for Lai’s release.