HONG KONG (Reuters] – The Economist stated Saturday that Hong Kong had declined to renew the visa of one of its journalists. He urged Hong Kong to keep foreign media access open as there are growing concerns over media freedoms at the financial centre.

Zanny Minton Beddingoes, the chief editor, stated in a statement that magazine was proud to feature Sue Lin Wong as a correspondent and regretted the decision taken by immigration authorities. It claimed it was made without explanation.

Beddoes said, “We ask the government of Hong Kong for access to the foreign press. This is vital to Hong Kong’s standing in international cities.”

Hong Kong’s government and Immigration Department did not respond immediately to our requests for comment.

Democracy activists, journalists, and newspaper editors have all been detained since Beijing last year imposed a new national security law in Hong Kong. The legislation is being criticized by those who claim it’s being used to suppress dissent within the city, claims that the Beijing and Hong Kong authorities deny.

Months after Apple Daily (NASDAQ:) Daily was shut down by Jimmy Lai and his tycoon owners, fears about freedom of press are growing in this former British colony.

Australian passport holder Wong, a former Reuters correspondent, wrote on Twitter (NYSE:) from London: “Very sad I won’t be able to continue reporting from Hong Kong. I enjoyed getting to know the people and the city. You will all be missed.”

Hong Kong did not renew Victor Mallet’s visa for Asia in 2018, after the editor of Financial Times, Victor Mallet had moderated a speech given by an independent activist at an event held by the Foreign correspondents’ Club. This move was alarming to some Hong Kong diplomats as well as business organizations.

The Chinese foreign ministry reported that 628 overseas employees had obtained work visas to Hong Kong for April.

Hong Kong has Article 27 of Basic Law that guarantees freedom of speech, press and assembly. This is the miniature constitution China signed when it retook control in 1997.

Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s leader, has said that the security legislation will not restrict media freedom. She stated, “Freedom of expression and freedom of protest, as well as freedom of journalism”