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Protection of freedom of the
press
The following is a question by the Hon Leung Yiu-chung and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
In view of the imprisonment of Mr XI Yang, a Hong Kong newspaper reporter, by the Chinese Government and the recent cases in which a number of Hong Kong journalists met with obstruction while making coverage in China (notably the incidents resulting in the detention of the reporters of Television Broadcasts Limited and the Next Magazine), will the Government inform this Council:
(a) what follow-up action has been taken by the Hong Kong Government, and whether it is aware of any action taken by the British Government in connection with these incidents; and (b) what measures are in place to effect and protect freedom of the press and to prevent the occurrence of the above incidents in the territory?
Reply:
Mr President,
(a) We have conveyed to the Chinese authorities the widespread concern in Hong Kong, both in media circles and more widely, about the case of Mr Xi Yang and the need for clearer guidelines for journalists working in China. In Mr Xi's case, we have raised the case on many occasions with the Chinese authorities and our efforts were reinforced by the British Government. Mr Xi's case was raised by Mr Hurd during his meeting with Vice-Premier Qian Qichen in April 1995 and also by Mr Rifkind during his recent meeting with Mr Qian in London. The Hong Kong reporters involved in the two recent incidents were detained only briefly. Neither their families nor their employers asked us to intervene. Nonetheless, we monitored the developments closely and were pleased to note that the matters were resolved rapidly in each case.