The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) issued a strongly worded statement yesterday protesting the Hong Kong government's mistreatment of Taiwanese members of the Falun Gong meditation group.
The MAC issued the statement after about 40 Taiwanese Falun Gong followers were denied entry to Hong Kong on Friday to attend a Falun Gong conference yesterday.
All of the Taiwanese followers were forcibly repatriated, even though they had valid Hong Kong visas. According to the MAC, Hong Kong immigration officials rudely treated some Taiwan followers, tying them up in anti-riot blankets and forcing them on Taiwan-bound aircraft.
"We protest this kind of mistreatment of our citizens," the MAC said in the statement, adding that it has ordered Taiwan's representative office to ask the Hong Kong government to stop such actions immediately.
"We are hopeful that the Hong Kong government will make a positive response to our protest to avoid spoiling bilateral amity and sabotaging its international image," the MAC said.
Dozens of Taiwanese Falun Gong followers gave a joint news conference earlier in the day to express their grievances and protest against the Hong Kong government's mistreatment of them.
They urged the Hong Kong government not to be subservient to the leaders in Beijing.
"Hong Kong leaders should refrain from becoming Beijing's tools to suppress human rights and freedom of religion in the territory," a representative said.
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