THE Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport could become a 'second class' passport if China does not explain why pro-Beijing politician Lo Tak-sing has been granted a mainland passport.
That claim was made by the Association for Democracy and People's Livelihood yesterday. Their warning came in a letter to National People's Congress Chairman Qiao Shi.
'The international legitimate status of the SAR passport will be in doubt if it is to be downgraded to a second-class passport,' said association chairman Frederick Fung Kin-kee.
He said doubts have not been cleared by remarks made by China's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday.
Spokesman Chen Jian said Hong Kong residents could apply for China passports before 1997 provided they were proved to have a genuine need.
The Public Security Bureau of Guangdong will hold a press conference today on Mr Lo's passport.
