A government spokesman reviled Hong Kong authorities Wednesday for barring Taiwanese Falun Gong followers from entering Hong Kong even though they held valid travel documents.

Government Information Office Minister Shieh Jhy-wey lambasted Hong Kong immigration authorities as "absolutely wrong" for denying 12 Taiwanese Falun Gong adherents entry Monday in the run-up to the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese rule.

The 12 Taiwanese citizens were repatriated after being denied entry to Hong Kong because their visits were "not conducive to the public good."

Shieh said Taiwan -- a democratic country whose people fully enjoy freedom of religion and freedom of speech -- feels it is a pity that Hong Kong denied entry to the 12 Taiwan citizens.

He said the entry denial reflects the fact that Hong Kong's human rights and democracy have regressed to a level much lower than that enjoyed by Hong Kongers 10 years before under British colonial rule.

This latest incident should also remind the Taiwanese people that Beijing has been manipulating democracy and human rights in Hong Kong under the guise of the so-called "one country, two systems."