(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)
The Government will continue to facilitate the operation of overseas media organisations in Hong Kong, Chief Executive Carrie Lam said today.
She made the remarks ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning in response to media questions about a journalist at The Economist whose working visa in the city was not renewed.
While noting that she would not comment on individual cases, Mrs Lam said the issue of visas falls under the autonomy and discretion of any government.
"It is always the discretion of the Director of Immigration to decide on the circumstances of each case, to decide whether they would grant a visa or extend a visa or impose certain conditions on a visa."
She also emphasised that Hong Kong has all along opened its door for overseas media.
"Hong Kong is an international city and we are very proud of being a hub for overseas media.
"I am sure you know that we have a large number of overseas media based in Hong Kong, some of them are using Hong Kong as their regional base to operate in the Asia-Pacific region. So, we will continue to facilitate their stay, their operation, their employment in Hong Kong in accordance with our policy.
"And of course, we now have also a piece of law, called the National Security Law. So, in all aspects of the government activities, national security is clearly a very important consideration."
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