ECNS) -- Hong Kong handled all entry applications in accordance with the law and regulations, said John Lee Ka-chiu, chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), on Tuesday when answering questions about the city’s denial of entry to a French AP journalist last week. 

Lee said Hong Kong’s immigration department had complied with laws and regulations, just like the immigration departments in other jurisdictions.

The French journalist is known for taking photos of Jimmy Lai Chee-ying, an instigator of Hong Kong riots, in prison last year from outside the facility.

The journalist sought to enter Hong Kong as a visitor last week, but was refused.