Hong Kong defeats western journalist in freedom of expression dispute
Hong Kong defeats western journalist in freedom of expression dispute
HONG KONG: the authorities effectively expelled a British journalist from this Chinese territory weeks after receiving a press club talk by an activist who had called for Hong Kong's independence from China, a speech that angered Beijing.
Victor Mallet, publisher of news for Asia of the Financial Times, did not renew his visa on the part of the authorities of immigration of the city, according to a representative of the British newspaper that said that no reason had been given and that it was the first time that the organization was with the situation.
The measure seemed to mark a milestone for the semi-autonomous territory and stoked fears that entrenched freedoms in the international financial center are being eroded. Beijing has pushed city authorities to suppress dissent, imprison activists and disqualify political candidates from running for elections.
While Beijing sometimes denies visas to foreign journalists, the Hong Kong government, which has an independent immigration department, has long promoted its tolerance of freedom of expression. The freedoms of the media have been a precious pillar of the former British colony, and several of the world's largest newspapers and media organizations use the city as their regional headquarters.
Mallet became the face of a media storm in August as interim president of the press club of foreign correspondents in the city, defending his decision to present a talk by the pro-independence speaker Andy Chan, from the marginal National Party of Hong Kong. Many pro-Beijing voices, including former city leader Leung Chun-ying, criticized Mr. Mallet and the club, which counts among its reporters and editors of major publications.
The city has since banned the National Party, calling it a criminal organization.
The city's immigration department said it would not comment on individual cases and that it acts in accordance with the laws when handling applications. Mr. Mallet referred the consultations to the Financial Times.
The Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong said in a statement on Friday that the denial of the visa was an "extraordinary move" and asked the authorities to give a reason for the refusal and rescind its decision.
People protest at a talk by Hong Kong independence advocate Andy Chan at the press club of foreign correspondents in the city.
Photo:
alex hofford / epa-efe / rex / shutter / EPA / Shutterstock
The decision to deny Mr. Mallet's visa is raising concerns about the autonomy of Hong Kong's legal systems. Mr. Mallet organized the personal talk of a press club representative, rather than his employer, the Financial Times.
"It's a very chilling message," said Fraser Howie, co-author of the book "Red Capitalism" about China's financial system. Describing the decision as arbitrary, Mr. Howie said: "Now will Hong Kong companies have to restrict the activities of their employees?" Rules like this undermine Hong Kong's assertion of being a safe place to do business under the rule of the law ".
The National Party ban has caused some pro-Beijing voices to call for more moderate pro-democracy parties, such as the one founded by Joshua Wong, a student leader of massive protests in favor of democracy in 2014, which will be banned next.
Hong Kong residents have the right to freedom of expression enshrined in the city's mini constitution, which guarantees certain freedoms that the Chinese do not have on the continent as part of a 50-year agreement between London and Beijing when the former colony British was returned to China in 1997.
Officials in the city and Beijing have said that advocating for independence is a "red line" and goes beyond the issue of freedom of expression. At the time of Mr. Chan's talk, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said it was "firmly against" the attempt by any outside force to provide a venue for the defenders of Hong Kong's independence.
Before Mr. Chan's speech, Mr. Mallet, 58, defended Hong Kong as a place where freedom of expression and freedom of association were applied. Mr. Mallet recognized the protesters outside the club in the Speech of August 6, some of which demanded that the club be punished. He said that they were also exercising their right to freedom of expression.
Write to Natasha Khan in natasha.khan@wsj.com
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SOURCE LINK ERESVIRAL.COM https://www.beviral.online
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