Ma's trip to Hong Kong scrapped over committee's security concerns

Taiwan authorities have barred former leader Ma Ying-jeou from traveling to Hong Kong to deliver a speech on Wednesday.

Ma was invited by the Society of Publishers in Asia to deliver the keynote speech at its 2016 awards gala dinner. The trip would have been his first public appearance outside of Taiwan after leaving office on May 20.

According to regulations, former leaders who want to travel outside the island must apply to the "Presidential Office" for final approval.