Hong Kong Activist Nathan Law Denied Entry to Singapore Despite Approved Visa
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Nathan Law has been denied entry to Singapore, despite having been granted a visa prior to his arrival. The Singapore government said his presence was “not in the national interests,” sparking debate over the city-state’s position on political dissent and its relationship with Beijing.
Law, who has been living in exile in the United Kingdom since 2020, revealed that he flew into Singapore on Saturday to attend a closed-door, invitation-only conference. Instead of being allowed to enter, however, he was detained at the border for nearly four hours before being placed on a return flight.
“I was not asked any questions, nor was I given a clear reason for the denial,” Law told the BBC. The 31-year-old activist is a former legislator in Hong Kong and one of the most recognizable faces of the pro-democracy movement that grew out of the 2014 Umbrella Movement protests.
Singapore Defends Its Decision
According to Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs, the refusal was consistent with its immigration policy and security considerations.
“Mr. Law’s entry into and presence in Singapore would not be in our national interests,” a ministry spokesperson said. They emphasized that visa approval does not guarantee entry and that all arrivals remain subject to further checks at the border. Law, they added, had been referred for “questioning, immigration, and security assessment” upon landing.
The ministry also noted that Nathan Law is wanted by Hong Kong authorities, who have accused him of endangering national security under China’s sweeping national security law. Singapore has an extradition treaty with Hong Kong, a fact that adds weight to the government’s decision.
Political Sensitivities at Play
Singapore has long been cautious about allowing foreign political issues to spill into its domestic space. Last year, its government reiterated that it takes a “clear and strong stand against the importation of politics of other countries into Singapore.”
Law, however, believes his rejection was politically motivated. In a statement, he questioned whether external forces, such as China, may have played a role in the decision.
“I am unsure whether the PRC was directly or indirectly involved,” he said. He added that he had applied for a single-entry visa weeks in advance, which was approved without issue. Law was traveling with a UK Refugee Travel Document, having been granted asylum by Britain in 2021.
After his detention, Singapore authorities placed him on the earliest flight back to San Francisco, his point of departure before connecting to Singapore.
Growing Pressure on Pro-Democracy Activists
Nathan Law rose to prominence during the Umbrella Movement and later became one of the youngest lawmakers ever elected in Hong Kong. But after Beijing imposed its controversial National Security Law in 2020, he fled the city, citing fear of persecution. The law criminalizes secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces, carrying penalties of up to life imprisonment.
Since then, Hong Kong authorities have ramped up efforts to target activists abroad. In 2023, they announced bounties of HK$1 million (US$128,000 / £95,000) for information leading to the arrest of Law and other overseas democracy advocates.
Singapore’s decision to deny him entry underscores how Beijing’s influence can extend beyond China’s borders, pressuring other governments to distance themselves from exiled dissidents.
Past Incidents in Singapore
This is not the first time Singapore has acted against Hong Kong pro-democracy figures. In 2019, the city-state fined a local activist for organizing an online forum years earlier that featured well-known activist Joshua Wong via teleconference. Authorities argued that the event had breached rules on foreign involvement in Singapore’s politics.
Such moves highlight Singapore’s zero-tolerance approach toward political activism linked to other countries, especially when those issues involve sensitive relations with China.
Voices from Both Sides
Supporters of Law say the incident raises concerns about Singapore’s neutrality and its stance on human rights. Critics argue that by refusing entry to one of Hong Kong’s most prominent pro-democracy leaders, Singapore risks aligning itself too closely with Beijing’s agenda.
Law himself remains defiant, calling the denial “political” and saying it will not deter him from continuing his activism abroad. “I will keep fighting for Hong Kong’s democracy, no matter where I am,” he said.
On the other hand, Singapore’s government insists the case is straightforward: immigration authorities are entitled to refuse entry when a person is deemed a risk to national security or public order.
Broader Implications
The episode adds another layer of tension to the global conversation about freedom of movement, political dissent, and international cooperation in the wake of China’s expanding influence. While Singapore prides itself on being a neutral hub for international business and diplomacy, this decision illustrates the delicate balance it must strike between maintaining sovereignty and navigating relations with powerful states.
For Hong Kong activists abroad, the message is equally clear: their struggle for democracy does not end at the city’s borders, but the space in which they can operate freely is shrinking.
Conclusion
Nathan Law’s denied entry into Singapore is more than an isolated immigration decision—it is a reflection of the complex interplay between security, politics, and international relations in Asia. As Hong Kong’s democracy movement faces mounting challenges, and as governments like Singapore weigh their national interests against global political pressures, the fate of activists in exile remains uncertain.
For Law, the setback is just another chapter in his fight for freedom. For Singapore, it is a reminder of how even the smallest decisions at immigration checkpoints can reverberate far beyond its borders.