Hong Kong residents who served in the British army before the colonial power handed the city back to Beijing have said they are indifferent about a UK government decision to offer them permanent settlement in the country, calling it too little, too late.

The British government on Thursday announced the settlement route allowing Hongkongers who had served in the armed forces before 1997 to live and work in the United Kingdom and become eligible for full citizenship.

Albert Lam Ping-wai, chairman of the Hong Kong Ex-Servicemen’s Association, said the response among veterans was lukewarm.