Danes confident on artist's visit
Denmark's representatives in Hong Kong are confident Danish sculptor-activist Jens Galschiot will be allowed into the city to join Tiananmen crackdown 20th anniversary commemorations after contacting the government on his behalf.
But Consul General Jorgen Mollegaard warned that if Galschiot were denied entry again, as he was during the Olympic torch relay last year, it would call into question Hong Kong's freedom of expression.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Mollegaard said Galschiot, creator of the Pillar of Shame sculpture on the University of Hong Kong campus, had sought the consulate's assistance ahead of his planned arrival tomorrow.
Mr Mollegaard said that, while he understood the Hong Kong government's stance that all governments had their right to maintain immigration control, there was no reason Galschiot should not be allowed to visit.
Mr Mollegaard said he was confident Galschiot would be allowed in as he had been on two visits since 1997.
He said there was an arrangement for Danes to visit Hong Kong visa-free, adding that the current situation was different from last year's sensitive period during the Olympic torch relay.
