Taiwanese Falun Gong Members 'refused Entry To HK'

Taiwan's official news agency is reporting that 33 members of the Falun Gong religious sect have been refused entry by Hong Kong immigration after arriving in the city on Saturday.

China News Agency reports that the group intended to take part in Sunday's march against proposed changes to the extradition laws. Hong Kong's Immigration Department has declined to comment.

The report cited Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council as saying that it had expressed concern to the Hong Kong government over the treatment of the travellers.

Thousands of people are expected to march on Sunday to demand the government withdraws its plan to allow extradition of fugitives to any jurisdiction, including those with which Hong Kong has no formal arrangement.

The administration says the changes will close a legal loophole, but opponents say it will open the way for Hong Kong people to be sent for trial on the mainland.