Pan-democrat lawmaker Emily Lau turned away from Macau

A heavyweight of Hong Kong's pan-democratic camp was barred from entering Macau yesterday on the grounds that she might pose a threat to local public safety, despite having no political agenda for her trip.

Democratic Party chairwoman Emily Lau Wai-hing was the latest among Hong Kong politicians and activists shut out of the former Portuguese enclave, after immigration officials last month turned away a group who planned to protest during President Xi Jinping's visit.

Lawmaker Lau insisted she was merely out to enjoy some sightseeing with three other non-politician friends and had no political activities in mind.

"This is ridiculous," she said. "It sends a very wrong message to the people in both Macau and Hong Kong that the 'one country, two systems' principle is fading."

Lau said she suspected the central government was behind the decision. She has been unable to visit the mainland for years as the authorities across the border have invalidated her re-entry permit.

"This is not a sensitive time, nor is there anyone important like Xi visiting the city," she said. "It just shows the city is tightening the rules." Lau said she was stopped at an immigration counter in the Outer Harbour ferry terminal while her friends were waved through. "The officials said I might pose a threat to the city's public safety and then told me to return to Hong Kong on the next ferry" without further inquiry or checking her luggage, she said.