HK visa clampdown on Bangladeshis, Indians, Pakis 'not racist'

HONG KONG, Jan 26: Hong Kong's immigration director today denied a visa clampdown on nationals of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh was racist, reports AFP.

"The reason why we reviewed the visa-free period in respect of these three nationals is purely on immigration control reasons (SIC)," Ambrose Lee told reporters.

He cited "significant immigration problems with South Asian visitors.

"Namely people overstaying in Hong Kong, people taking up illegal jobs in Hong Kong, and many visitors from these three countries have abused our hospitality", Lee said.

The department said last week the three-month visa-free stay allowed to South Asians had been cut to 14 days because of problems including 'illegal employment and seeking of residence in Hong Kong under false pretenses'.

Under the new rules, spouses and other dependents of foreigners resident in Hong Kong are no longer able to sponsor relatives unless they themselves work or have right of abode here.

A main reason for the chance was reportedly the problem of South Asian dependents of Hong Kong residents bringing over their relatives.

The Indian consulate said last week it had not come across any widespread fluting of the previous visa rules, but would study the changes to see their impact on Hong Kong's large Indian business community.

Indian anti-racism campaigner Ravi Gidumal said the Immigration Department needed to explain fully its decision to restrict visa access for South Asians to avert suspicions of discrimination.