According to a report by PULSE HK on the 27th, a French journalist, Antoine Vedeilhe, was detained at Hong Kong airport for around three hours and later deported back to France in November last year while entering the city to film a documentary.
Airport footage provided by Antoine shows that, while being escorted to the boarding gate, he repeatedly asked for the reason for his denied entry. Immigration officers only replied that it was for “immigration reasons” and asked him to provide a list of contacts and interview subjects, without offering a specific explanation, repeatedly stating that there were “no other reasons.” He said an officer had mentioned he “might be endangering national security,” but this was the only explicit reference to the National Security Law during the entire process.
Antoine has previously produced documentaries on Hong Kong for several French broadcasters, including Hong Kong, law and order: Inside the rebel city now under Chinese control for France 24 in February last year, Hong Kong bids farewell to press freedom in 2021, and Hong Kong: A summer of discontent about the 2019 anti-extradition bill protests. His latest documentary, Hong Kong, Silent City, is scheduled to premiere on French television on 17 May. It examines key phases of Hong Kong’s governance changes since the 1997 handover to China, particularly the tightening of control following the 2019 mass protests.
The report noted that the day after his deportation, the media outlet involved received threatening emails alleging the reporting may have violated the National Security Law. A cameraman working with him was also followed in Hong Kong, and sources for the documentary were later harassed.
Reporters Without Borders said the case reflects continued tightening restrictions on foreign journalists in Hong Kong. Since 2020, at least 13 journalists have reportedly been denied entry or visa approval, describing the situation as evidence of increasing pressure on press freedom.
Commentary
This case reflects how Hong Kong’s handling of independent media and foreign journalists appears increasingly aligned with mainland China’s approach to information control, and also shows how authorities may adopt stringent measures when dealing with what are perceived as “sensitive reports.” The use of “immigration reasons” as the sole explanation highlights the lack of transparency in the overall review process.
More importantly, the impact of these laws and their enforcement now extends beyond local residents or overseas Hong Kong communities to journalists and media workers of various nationalities. In other words, any documentary, footage, or reporting related to Hong Kong may fall under tighter scrutiny and filtering.