The Immigration Department denied entry to over 12,000 travelers from January to May, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok Joon-fung said, emphasizing that post-2019 emigrants with clean records face no questioning upon returning to Hong Kong.
Speaking on a radio program on Sunday, Kwok explained that the reasons for denial included suspicious visit purposes such as illegal employment, as well as possession of suspected counterfeit travel documents.
Addressing concerns raised by returnees who relocated overseas after 2019, he affirmed that Hong Kong residents enjoy freedom of travel and will not face special checks or questioning as long as they have not violated any laws.
He welcomed patriotic youth to return to the city, encouraging them to better understand mainland China's development and recognize the importance of national security.
Meanwhile, Kwok noted that some travelers had attempted to "gain entry through loud protests" but stressed that immigration officers remain steadfast in their duty, preventing undesirable individuals from entering.
Hong Kong recorded 298 million inbound and outbound trips last year, rebounding to pre-pandemic levels of 300 million trips annually.
Kwok added that nearly 500,000 Hong Kong residents depart through various border crossings every Saturday, with Shenzhen being the top destination.
