Hong Kong bid for visa-free access to US in jeopardy after Snowden departure

[solidops]

Hong Kong’s refusal to detain Edward Snowden may yet have consequences for the city’s residents.

In a case of exquisite bad timing, the row over Hong Kong’s decision to let the NSA leaker fly to Russia - in spite of a US extradition request - came at the same time the US Senate was poised to vote on a massive immigration reform bill. Buried deep in the 1,076-page bill is a long-awaited amendment making Hong Kong eligible to join the US Visa Waiver Program, which allows visitors into the US for 90 days with their passports only.

But US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell suggested on Tuesday that the waiver, which has been the subject of years of lobbying by Hong Kong, may now be in peril. He had been asked to describe the repercussions of Snowden’s unimpeded departure on Sunday from Hong Kong, on both Sino-US relations and the visa waiver amendment.

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/a...ss-us-jeopardy

[Dreadnought]

Probably not a big deal for most members on this site, who enjoy visa-free access to the US anyway.

[Tom007]

Probably not a big deal for most members on this site, who enjoy visa-free access to the US anyway.

Yeah indeed!

[penguinsix]

It was in trouble even before Snowden. I think some in the HK government are happy to use this as an excuse for the failure that was inevitable anyway.

[INXS]

They're like nasty, spiteful bullies. Horrid.

Suddenly I feel like burning the American flag.

[Dreadnought]

...Suddenly I feel like burning the American flag.

Take great care when you do it. Even flags have built-in defences.

[Azuremain]

Take great care when you do it. Even flags have built-in defences.

http://static.onemansblog.com/wp-con...rning-Fail.jpg

That's because God is not equal between good and evil. God hates radical Muslims and Commi heathens.

Congrats Hong Kong, you aligned yourself with Red China. Now don't expect to be treated differently to any other Chinese city. You chose to become just another corrupt mega slum along China's coast.

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[Lootoo]

Congrats Hong Kong, you aligned yourself with Red China. Now don't expect to be treated differently to any other Chinese city. You chose to become just another corrupt mega slum along China's coast.

Just wondering why you're still here. Do you know where the airport is?

[Azuremain]

Just wondering why you're still here. Do you know where the airport is?

Hong Kong will not be abandoned like Saigon. As long as there's a Marine in the Consulate there's still hope.

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