Britain demands explanation from Hong Kong over rejection of visa renewal for Financial Times journalist Victor Mallet
Meanwhile, Bernard Chan, a top policy adviser to the city’s leader, says he is unclear about reasons behind Immigration Department’s rejection of the application
|AP|AIWA!NO!|Britain has expressed concern over freedom of speech in its former colony Hong Kong after authorities refused to renew the work visa of a senior editor of the Financial Times.A statement dated Friday said Britain has asked for an explanation as to why Victor Mallet’s visa renewal application was rejected.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office statement said: “Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and its press freedoms are central to its way of life, and must be fully respected.
Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy and its press freedoms are central to its way of life, and must be fully respected – BRITISH FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE
A spokesman for the US consulate in Hong Kong echoed Britain’s concern, saying the denial was “deeply troubling”.
“This decision is especially disturbing because it mirrors problems faced by international journalists on the mainland and appears inconsistent with the principles enshrined in the Basic Law,” the spokesman said on Saturday, referring to Hong Kong’s mini-constitution.
