- ‘Achievements and progress that Macau has made after returning to the motherland has made people feel proud,’ Chinese leader says
- Activists Leung Kwok-hung, Avery Ng, Raphael Wong, Tsang Kin-shing, Koo Sze-yiu and Figo Chan all barred from boarding ferry in Hong Kong
China's President Xi Jinping arrived in Macau on Wednesday on a visit to mark the city's 20th anniversary of its return to Chinese rule, saying he was proud of its achievements over the past two decades and praising it for having "seriously" implemented the "one country, two systems" principle.
"The achievements and progress that Macau has made after returning to the motherland has made people feel proud," Xi said after landing at Macau's airport.
"The people of the motherland and the central government are proud."
He said Macau, a Portuguese colony until 1999, had seriously implemented the one country, two systems governing principle with its own characteristics, calling on residents to come together and map out the city's "beautiful blueprint" for its future development.
Xi, who will be in Macau until Friday, said he would be willing to meet people from all sectors to engage in dialogue on matters of common interests.
Macau had been in an unprecedented lockdown ahead of Xi's visit, as authorities tightened security across the casino hub and suspended part of its newly launched train service.
Six activists from the League of Social Democrats " "Long Hair" Leung Kwok-hung, Avery Ng Man-yuen, Raphael Wong Ho-ming, Tsang Kin-shing, Koo Sze-yiu, Figo Chan Ho-hang " were barred from boarding a ferry to Macau at a Hong Kong pier.
After purchasing Turbojet ferry tickets on Wednesday morning, they staged a protest at the Sheung Wan Hong Kong Macau Ferry Terminal.
A man came over and took away their protests props that bore photos of Xi and Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, according to Wong.
While trying to get past the Hong Kong immigration checkpoint, Wong said, they were told by the officers and ferry staff they were not welcome by the Macau government.
They still managed to get past the checkpoint but once at the boarding area, a ferry staff member gave them a statement from Macau police.
The statement was addressed to the ferry company, requesting its help to bar the six from taking the ferry because intelligence had shown the group planned to visit Macau to sabotage anniversary activities.
Macau in an unprecedented lockdown ahead of Xi Jinping visit
The operator would have to bear legal consequences if it did not cooperate, the statement said.
"Macau police will resolutely ban these people from entering Macau to carry out illegal activities," the statement read.
Wong said the incident "shows Macau can never truly become an international financial centre, for it does not allow peaceful protests".
Also on Wednesday, journalists from RTHK, Commercial Radio and Now TV were all denied entry to Macau. They were told there were strong signs they would engage in activities that would jeopardise safety and public order in Macau.
All of them had registered with the Macau government to cover the ceremonies from Wednesday to Friday.
No problem with mainland officers holding Macau-bound Hongkonger, says Cheung
Before the journalists were denied entry, the Macau police asked them for personal details including their addresses, parents' names, marital statuses, and purpose of visit.
Another RTHK reporter was let in on Wednesday. But that was after he was asked by police to sign a statement allowing officers to check his phone. They looked at his photo album, as well as his Facebook, Instagram and other social media accounts.
Police also inspected the journalist's WhatsApp chat history and asked whether he had installed Telegram, another messaging app that has become popular during more than six months of anti-government protests in Hong Kong.
He was allowed in after 2 1/2 hours.
Post reporter denied entry into Macau to cover Xi Jinping's visit
RTHK expressed deep regret over the incident and said it did not understand the denial because the journalist had received prior approval from the Macau government to cover the ceremonies.
Commercial Radio said its journalists had always been law-abiding and serious about their work. Covering the handover anniversary would not harm Macau's public safety and order, the broadcaster said.
Now TV expressed regret and frustration over the denial.
On Tuesday, a Post reporter was denied entry, one day after another Now TV journalist experienced a similar ban.
In an open letter, the Hong Kong Journalists Association urged the authorities of Macau and mainland China to respect press freedom. It expressed regret over the denials and said journalists were not troublemakers.
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