Hong Kong I&T minister cancels US trip 4 hours after schedule unveiled
Tech chief Sun Dong’s trip scrapped, with analyst calling move ‘sensible’ after US invasion of Venezuela further fuels geopolitical tensions
Hong Kong’s innovation and technology (I&T) minister has cancelled a trip to the United States following a “dynamic assessment” by the government, just four hours after it announced his three-day itinerary for the visit.
In a statement issued at 4.20pm on Tuesday, the government said that Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong had cancelled his visit to the US, without explaining the reason behind the decision.
An insider told the Post that Sun had not yet boarded the flight to the US.
The cancellation came amid rising geopolitical tensions after the US invaded Venezuela and abducted its president and first lady, sparking international condemnation from some countries, including China. The US insisted its actions were legally justified.
Sun’s bureau subsequently told the Post that the government constantly conducted “dynamic assessments” regarding the appropriateness of overseas visits by officials.
“Following an assessment, it was decided the trip would be cancelled,” a bureau spokesman said.