Hong Kong calls for suspension of visa-free entry for Philippines

Hong Kong : The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Legislative Council has passed a non-binding motion to impose economic sanctions on the Philippines. It comes after Hong Kong SAR’s government threatened sanctions against Manila if substantial progress was not made within a month in the row over the 2010 hostage crisis.
On Nov. 7 , 2013, legislators debated on the sanctions that Hong Kong should impose on the country, if no substantial progress on the hostage crisis is made within a month.
One motion passed is to withdraw visa-free access to Hong Kong for Philippine visitors.
Last year, more than 700,000 Philippine visitors came to HK and were able to stay for two-weeks without a visa. But because of Hong Kong’s black tourism alert, only 120,000 people have traveled from Hong Kong to the Philippines last year.
Many believe this motion will only have a minimum impact on Hong Kong, but significantly hurt the Philippines.
“I support sanctions. A lot of Filipinos come to Hong Kong every year. If the city government doesn’t give them a visa, it will hurt them greatly,” Hong Kong resident said.
Legislators also discussed the possibility of putting a freeze on domestic helpers, which is similar to a move by Taiwan authorities following the fatal shooting of a fisherman by the Philippine coastguard.
The Taiwan sanctions were dropped in August, after Manila offered a formal apology. But this proposal didn’t win popular support.
While 160,000 Filipino maids in Hong Kong would lose their jobs, it would also impact many middle-class families’ lives.
”The city government should impose severe sanctions. I suggest not letting more Filipino workers come to Hong Kong, and stopping Filipinos already in Hong Kong from sending money back home. That would be a big blow to its economy,” Hong Kong resident said.
On Tuesday, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying gave an ultimatum to the Philippines, saying the Hong Kong SAR’s government would take necessary action unless substantial progress is made within one month.
Discussions have been held on the dispute in recent months, but the two sides are still struggling to come to an agreement. The Philippines said it was working quietly with Hong Kong to address these concerns, and would reach a mutually satisfactory conclusion
Though the Legislative Council’s motion has no binding effect, it at least represents Hong Kong people’s will to resolve the dispute reasonably and lawfully. And it will exert pressure on the Aquino III’s administration to step up efforts to bring the hostage row to a close.-  Li Jiejun , CCTV