Activist behind migration ad rejects criticism from equality chief

The head of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has been asked to retract his criticism of an advertisement that calls for controls on the number of new migrants coming from the mainland into Hong Kong.

A key figure behind the advertisement, Roy Tam Hoi-pong, yesterday dismissed the comments of EOC chief Dr York Chow Yat-ngok as having been "based on a misinformed impression". Tam said he would seek a meeting with Chow.

The advertisement, published last month in two newspapers in Hong Kong and one in Taiwan, opposed further integration with the mainland.

Signed by more than 300 people, including two lawmakers, the ad demanded changes to the one-way permit policy that allows as many as 150 mainlanders to settle in Hong Kong every day - a policy the campaigners said was a means for Beijing to "dilute" the population mix of Hong Kong.

On Saturday, Chow condemned the ad, suggesting it might promote discrimination against mainland migrants.

"I was very surprised that a public office holder would make such critical remarks so lightly before even talking to us to understand what we are doing," said Tam. "His conclusion … seemed to have been based on a misinformed impression.