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Macao And Hong Kong In Travel Dispute
Tensions between Hong Kong and Macao are on the rise following Macao's move to refuse entry to a series of scholars, legislators and journalists from its neighbour.
The two former European colonies, which both returned to Chinese control about a decade ago, are closely intertwined, with Hong Kong's busy airport and stock market serving as Macao's main global gateway and Hong Kong businesses, professionals and tourists helping to power the development of what has become the world's top gambling centre.
Hong Kong residents and visitors made 18.6m trips to and from Macao last year, according to Hong Kong's figures, so the recent interruption of the usual free flow of traffic between the two ports for some travellers has come as a shock.
One Hong Kong businessman said: “I was really surprised that [Macao officials] are that scared of the Hong Kong press and Hong Kong people.”
Last week, Johannes Chan, dean of the law faculty at the University of Hong Kong, was refused entry to Macao when he was due to give a lecture. He said an immigration officer told him his name was on a watchlist.
Donald Tsang, Hong Kong's chief executive, said yesterday he had related concerns about the entry refusals to Edmond Ho, his Macao counterpart, as they attended China's National People's Congress in Beijing. “Mr Ho heard what I said clearly . . . I believe he will understand,” he said.
Some Hong Kong lawmakers called this week for retaliation. “If Macao refuses to lift its ban, the Hong Kong government should ban Macao officials from entering the city or using Hong Kong as a transit point,” said legislator Albert Ho.
Professor Chan theorised that his travel troubles stemmed from his involvement in a previous campaign in Hong Kong against national security legislation under a provision of the local constitution known as Article 23. Although the legislative proposal was abandoned, Macao put into force a similar law this week.
