If the UK wants to set up contingency plans for mass departure of Hong Kong citizens it might as well work with other states that would see an influx like Canada, Australia, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, US and EU to grant immediate settled status to holders of every form of HK ID

Dealing with a Hong Kong crisis would require intensive multilateral cooperation between several states dealing with an influx of Hong Kongers as well as states near Hong Kong such as Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia.

This is not something the UK alone can handle

Instead of think pieces strong on slogans and vague hints from UK state officials, the emphasis should be on putting concrete contingency systems and structures in place based on experience of previous migration crisis and coordination with all key states likely to be affected

First and foremost, any systems and structures put in place by the states likely to see substantial inward migration from HK as well as states near it needs to focus on what Hong Kongers want and are asking for. Projecting domestic UK or US obsessions on Hong Kong helps no one

UK, Australian, Canadian, German, Japanese, Taiwanese MPs or MEPs from all parties need to ask their governments about what measures they are willing to introduce legislation for to allow entry of, organise settlement for and integration of Hong Kongers if a crisis requires it.

And throughout the process, the hopes and needs of Hong Konger people need to be central to any consultation process. They need to be asked about what they need to assist their cause as well as well as what they would need if it fails