A referendum asking British nationals to vote on Britain's continued membership in the European Union will be held on June 23. The British embassy in Beijing launched a campaign in China to encourage British expats here to also register their votes despite living away from home. British nationals working overseas will be able to vote by post, proxy or in person if they return to the UK by that date. The Global Times sought out British expats and Chinese returnees from Britain in Shanghai for their opinions about this momentous referendum.

Colin Barnett, manager of British company

I'm firmly behind the UK being in the EU. I stand behind the idea of postwar foundations of EU and interdependence as a way to avoid conflict. In this age it could be argued that conflicts of a military nature are less likely but there is no absolute safeguard. For me, I would prefer even closer ties with Europe, including monetary. As a person who grew up knowing that UK is Europe and the EU contains UK, to leave would be a shift in my identity. I am European. My British citizenship comes second. Regarding a poll by the Guardian newspaper which showed that "56 percent of Britons would vote to quit the EU," similar reactions emerged for Scottish independence. But when people really consider the reality and the impact, it may be a different case. Stability and growth are a consequence of opportunities that are afforded by being part of the European Union.

Susie Gordon, program director at the Royal Asiatic Society China in Shanghai

I believe that remaining in the EU is the best idea for the UK right now. There is a lot of disinformation going around in the British media regarding immigration, but pulling out of the EU would not solve this. I believe that a united Europe makes sense in today's global climate. I will register as an overseas voter on this referendum. Most of my friends in Shanghai are Americans and thus more concerned about the US elections. But my friends back home in England seem quite divided - some wish to remain in the EU, others want to leave. I don't think a Brexit (slang for "British exit") would affect my life or my work, but I still think it's important for me personally as a British citizen to cast a vote.

Sabrina Samra, foreign teacher

I've changed my mind since first being asked this question. Perhaps Britain should not stay in the EU any longer. Although remaining in the EU encourages free trade, jobs and a political say, leaving the EU may just be the vast change it needs. It could prompt more trade between non-EU countries and ultimately bring more profit and therefore allow Britain to "fix" itself. Leaving the EU may well affect me personally, as I plan to return to England this September and work there. Travel is made easier being part of the EU, so perhaps leaving the EU might affect my ease in travel.

Gao Jing, teacher, stayed four years in the UK

The UK's present economy and people's life remain fine and stable, which I think is due to the fact that it's independent from the EU in some ways. The UK is one of the few European countries with a well-developed economy. British people's long-inherited sense of national pride may make them feel superior to other EU members, even if they stay in the EU.

Carl Nobleman, businessman

In a referendum, I find the best way to approach the issue is by framing the debate in terms of the First Principle. For any truly loyal British subject, this principle has to be whether the best interests of UK people are served by being overseen by a self-governed parliamentary democracy based in the UK and made up of UK nationals, or, as part of an unaccountable supranational pan-European body whose powers can override those of its members' national constitutional bodies, and which are also incapable of challenge in the national courts of its member states?

There are plausible reasons for why British people might want to support either one of those options, and I can certainly understand why citizens of some European countries with different political, judicial, military and social histories might wish to abnegate certain elements of their governance to others. However, I ultimately have to vote for a Brexit, as I believe that the fundamental decisions that govern the lives of a nation's citizenry, the laws they must obey and the taxes they should pay should be decided by people chosen by that citizenry, and who in turn may be removed from power by the same citizenry.

I will absolutely register as an overseas voter! I will vote by proxy. I believe that it is important that every British subject should take this opportunity to vote in a referendum that will have a profound influence on the future governance of their nation. Even those who are planning to vote for remaining within the EU, and by extension prefer governance via horse-trading with 27 other European governments, diktat by 751 ciphers in the European parliament, under the guidance and palter of the 33,000-strong civil servants of the European Commission.

The referendum is not something that I have discussed in any great detail with my friends, as the terms of the negotiations between the UK and EU have only just been outlined. Now that it's obvious that the negotiations were not entered into in good faith by the EU, and support for a Brexit has begun to grow within the UK and the possibility of a Brexit has become a reality, I imagine that may change.

From what little discussion I've had, I think the majority of my British and Chinese friends would welcome greater access to the UK employment market, increased higher educational places and generally fairer immigration process for Chinese citizens that would result from a Brexit, with the resulting implementation of a points-based immigration system to replace the discriminatory EU freedom of movement law that by necessity means Britain has to penalize often more qualified non-EU people if it is to have any control on its levels of immigration.

I don't primarily live or work in the EU, so I'm not sure how much a Brexit would affect my life. There'd be no more EU aviation tax, so I suppose flights home may become cheaper, and a bilateral free-trade agreement between Britain and China would at least become a possibility. As for those living and working in the UK, I imagine with business being business, and once the political dust has settled, some sort of mutually beneficial trading agreement will be reached. After all, would German intransigence stop them trying to sell cars to Britain, or French pique its cheese and wine? Would an economic and political bloc in decline, with mass youth unemployment, huge income inequality, social instability, currently trying to incorporate over a million largely unskilled migrants and with a structurally unstable currency afford to cut off its access to Britain - the soon to be fourth largest economy in the world and its biggest export market? I can't be sure, but I'm guessing they'll work something out.

Global Times

Activists pose in front of London's Big Ben.

 

British Prime Minister David Cameron makes a statement on February 20 about EU negotiations. Photos: CFP

 
Newspaper headline: Best of both worlds?