HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s leader denied on Friday that China had taken over immigration controls in the city after a British activist was refused entry, but she couldn’t rule out barring even the last colonial governor and frequent China critic, Chris Patten. Chief Executive…
HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s leader denied on Friday that China had taken over immigration controls in the city after a British activist was refused entry, but she couldn’t rule out barring even the last colonial governor and frequent China critic, Chris Patten.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam defended Hong Kong’s autonomy amid deepening questions over the Chinese-ruled financial hub’s reputation as a free and international city, after a Conservative Party rights activist, Benedict Rogers, was barred from entering on Wednesday.
When asked on a radio talk show whether Patten, who has criticised perceived Chinese interference in Hong Kong affairs, would be the next to be barred, Lam stopped short of ruling it out.
« I can’t exclude any possibilities because immigration matters will change depending on the case, » she told public broadcaster RTHK.
Patten, who spoke extensively during a recent Hong Kong visit and was critical of the jailing of several democracy activists, has angered some in the pro-Beijing establishment.
Britain handed Hong Kong back to Chinese rule in 1997 amid promises that its widespread freedoms and autonomy would be respected under a « one country, two systems » formula.
But China’s Foreign Ministry said it had the right to allow or refuse any persons wanting to enter Hong Kong, in response to Rogers’ case, as this was a matter of state sovereignty.
