(Clearwisdom.net) Hong Kong's denial of entry of Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioners has drawn the attention of the international community. The US State Department spokesperson publicly called on Hong Kong to continue maintaining personal and political freedom.

According to an AFP report on June 28, 2007, the United States on Wednesday June 27, called on Hong Kong to maintain political freedom after Taiwan Falun Gong lawyer Theresa Chu was denied entry by the Hong Kong government.

The report said, "Theresa Chu, a lawyer, arrived in the territory on Sunday evening to protest in the run-up to the 10th anniversary of the former British territory Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule but was refused entry and repatriated the next day."

The US State Department said, "We believe all individuals, regardless of their beliefs or affiliation, enjoy the right to legitimate travel and peaceful assembly."

The US State Department stated, "We expect that Hong Kong would continue to uphold its high standards of personal and political freedom."

Kan Hung-cheung, a spokesman for Falun Gong had claimed that more than 100 Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioners have also been denied entry in Hong Kong for a series of protests planned in the run-up to the July 1 anniversary of the handover.