Hong Kong journalist group protests FT editor's visa denial

Hong Kong journalist groups have expressed dismay over the government's refusal to renew a work visa for a Financial Times editor.

Representatives from the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club, Hong Kong Journalists Association and other journalism advocacy groups gathered at the Central Government Offices on Monday and handed a letter of protest to a Hong Kong Government representative.

"We are shocked and deeply concerned over the decision by the Hong Kong authorities to refuse a work visa renewal for Victor Mallet, Asia News Editor for the Financial Times," said Chris Yeung of the Hong Kong Journalists Association.

He said the denial of a visa to Mallet "sets a terrible precedent for Hong Kong's reputation as a place where the rule of law applies and where freedom of speech is protected by law."