China Expels German Student For Interviewing Human Rights Activists, Says Foreigners Must Follow Chinese Laws
Tsinghua University, main administrative building (by pfctdayelise via Wikimedia Commons ) German journalism student David Missal has been expelled from China after he filmed a documentary about human rights activists. The 24-year-old was pursuing a master's programme at the prestigious Tsinghua University, in the Chinese capital Beijing. But on Sunday, August 12, he left the country after Chinese immigration authorities shortened his residence permit and denied him a visa extension. Missal told Hong Kong Free Press that he had applied for a visa extension two months ago. On August 10 he went to the Entry-Exit Administration and was informed that his visa would not be renewed because he had engaged in activities that were not covered by his student visa. He was told that he had ten days to leave the country. “I asked them what kind of activities did I do… and they said you should know by yourself,” Missal said. He had received a DAAD scholarship for two years.