Beijing Criticises US Consul Over HKSAR Comments

The Foreign Ministry's office in Hong Kong on Friday said it had expressed its dissatisfaction to the US Consulate over what it described as "wrong" remarks by Kurt Tong, the US Consul General in Hong Kong.

In a speech delivered to an HKUST alumni association meeting on Thursday, Tong cited what he called a number of unfortunate "firsts" in 2018 -- including the first banning of a political party, the first foreign journalist ejected from the city, and the first time a large number of political candidates had been disqualified for their political views.

Beijing, Tong said, appeared to be closely involved in the SAR government's decision-making on all these cases and trends.

The Foreign Ministry's office said Hong Kong residents had enjoyed unprecedented rights and freedom since the handover.

It also defended the SAR government, saying measures had been taken to safeguard the "One Country, Two Systems" principle and to ensure Hong Kong's stability and prosperity. It also said the SAR government had made decisions in line with the wishes of the people.

The SAR government last year banned the pro-independence Hong Kong National Party using a law typically used to suppress triad organisations.

The government also didn't renew the work visa of British journalist Victor Mallett, after he hosted a speech by the head of the Hong Kong National Party, Chan Ho-tin, at the Foreign Correspondents' Club last August. The Financial Times journalist was later denied entry to Hong Kong as a tourist.

A number of pro-democracy candidates have also been prevented from standing in Legco by-elections after being screened out by returning officers because of their political stance.