In an editorial published on Sunday night, the newspaper says without an explanation from authorities, the rejection seems to be ‘retribution’ for Mallet’s role in the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, where he chaired a talk by a separatist party leader
The Financial Times newspaper has described the Hong Kong government’s decision to deny a work visa to its journalist Victor Mallet as sending a “chilling message” to everyone in the city and a reflection of how their basic rights are being eroded.
In an editorial late on Sunday night, the newspaper headquartered in London said: “The decision to deny a visa to an FT correspondent is highly regrettable.
“It sends a chilling message to everyone in Hong Kong, highlighting Beijing’s tightening grip on the territory and the steady erosion of basic rights that are guaranteed in Hong Kong’s laws and international agreements.”
The opinion piece came two days after a spokeswoman for the newspaper said authorities had refused to renew Mallet’s work visa without giving any reason. The Asia news editor submitted his renewal application last month.
Hong Kong’s Immigration Department said it did not comment on individual cases and would not “disclose the specific refusal reason to each applicant”, a position it maintained even after Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office demanded an urgent explanation.
Subsequently, Beijing’s Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong issued a statement on Saturday night firmly supporting the city’s government.
It said according to the “one country, two systems” governing principle and the Basic Law, the Hong Kong government had the power to make decisions on applications for work visa extensions, and no foreign country had the right to interfere.
