Anyone – including last governor Chris Patten – could be barred from Hong Kong, Carrie Lam says
Chief executive seeks to make clear that immigration matters are under the purview of Hong Kong unless they concern foreign affairs
Hong Kong’s leader on Friday would not rule out former colonial governor Chris Patten being barred from the city, days after a British human rights campaigner was denied entry without an official explanation.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor sought to make clear that immigration matters come under the purview of Hong Kong but that that remit ends when foreign affairs are concerned, when asked about the last governor’s ability to visit the city in the future.
“I can’t exclude any possibility because immigration matters will change depending on the case,” she said on a morning radio programme.
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China’s foreign ministry criticised external interference and said Rogers knew “well enough” of his intentions to meddle in the rule of law and internal affairs of Hong Kong.
Critics have expressed concern that the incident is yet another sign that Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms are slowly being eroded despite the “one country, two systems” framework, in place since the city was handed from British to Chinese rule in 1997.