The DUP MP said, “Since July 2020 the UK has welcomed many people from Hong Kong on the British National (Overseas) visa programme. Northern Ireland has been part of this national programme with many hundreds of people making their home here. This Sunday will be an important celebration for those people and many others across Northern Ireland as the beginning of the Lunar New Year is marked.
It is fantastic to hear testimony from those who have come here, about the warm welcome they have received. I know that within East Belfast there are several churches participating in the UKHK project started by the Welcome Churches network. These are helping those arriving here connect with other people in the area, and to settle into the community. That includes things like English conversation classes that are being held in one of the churches.
I hope that all those who have come here from Hong Kong have settled into life here and have an enjoyable Lunar New Year celebration this weekend.”