In 2021, the Hong Kong government—actually, the MPFA—issued a statement saying that it doesn't recognize a BNO passport as a valid travel document. Somehow financial companies, including Manulife and Sun Life, block Hong Kongers from restoring their savings if they use a BNO passport as a form of identity.
However, I would like to make it very clear: The Hong Kong government issued this statement, but there's no law change under the MPF scheme. It is very important. I can share the legal argument with parliamentarians after this meeting. It is very clear that there is no change to the trustee deed.
If the Hong Kong government changes the deed, then the trustee needs to follow the change. There's been no change; therefore, all the trustees, including Manulife and Sun Life, need to follow the law in Hong Kong and release Hong Kong people's retirement savings. That's unless there's a change and an added clause to the law under the MPF scheme.
That's why a lot of Hong Kongers have received replies from financial companies, saying that they have not submitted the right document. Actually, they have submitted everything.