Apple Daily Commentary: Saying One Thing and Doing Another--How Can They Expect the World to Trust Them? (Photo)

(Clearwisdom.net)

Artist Zhang Cuiying was denied entry to Hong Kong for her status of being a Falun Gong practitioner

August 23, 2002

What Hong Kong's criterion is--nobody knows. The Immigration department and other related departments have never been willing to give any explanation to the public.

...The Chinese-Australian artist, Zhang Cuiying, who arrived at Hong Kong yesterday to hold an individual art exhibition was denied entry by Hong Kong's immigration department for her status of being a Falun Gong practitioner. The decision has forced Hong Kong citizens to lose a good opportunity of cultural exchange.

Zhang Cuiying is a world-renowned artist who has been receiving VIP treatment while touring around European countries and the US for her art exhibition. ...Who would have thought that she would be denied entry when she was back on the soil of her motherland? This is indeed hard to understand.

Hong Kong government's position is unclear.

Of course, according to international rules, the immigration department of every government is entitled to deny someone's entry based on security reasons. They can also have their own "unwelcome guests" list. However, this should conform with certain international criteria. What Hong Kong's criterion is, nobody knows. The Immigration department and the related departments have never been willing to give any explanation to the public.

Since returning to China, the special district has earned good merits by abiding by the rule of "one country, two systems; high autonomy". Some sensitive people who were considered unwelcome in Mainland China have been allowed to visit the district, which indeed is applauded. Nevertheless, we don't know why whenever it comes to Falun Gong, the district government would lose her own "soul".

Falun Gong is labeled as [slanderous term omitted] in Mainland China, which is driven by the political situation in China. At present, even Mainland China's residents have to sign a statement [declaring themselves to be a] "non-Falun Gong practitioner" in police departments when applying for round trip visits to foreign countries. This is very much like going back to the fifties with the anti right-wing movements; the atmosphere of terror back then was bone-chilling.

The "Unwelcome" Names List Should Be Published

...Since Hong Kong's law has allowed Falun Gong to become a legal organization, why has the government repeatedly denied outside Falun Gong practitioners' entry to Hong Kong. Saying one thing and doing another, doing one thing above the table and another under the table--how can they expect the world to trust them?

...We request that Hong Kong government publish a clear criterion of "entry rejection". We would hate to see the day when Hong Kong residents have to show their proof of [being] "non-Falun Gong practitioners" at the immigration department's request when they return to their homeland from abroad.
Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.ca/mh/articles/2002/8/24/35487.html

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