Position suspension ︱ "Hua Ri" claims that press freedom is impaired Li Jiachao writes to refute: You should support the action

Online media "Stance News" has 7 senior, former senior and related writers who were accused of "conspiring to publish seditious publications" and were arrested last Wednesday (December 29). "Stance" announced its suspension on the same day. Fortune, aroused the attention of the international community.

The US "Wall Street Journal" ("WSJ"/"Hua Ri") published an editorial on the same evening local time, stating that the relevant law enforcement actions had reached a "new level of indecentness", undermining the freedom of the press, and "no one is safe" in Hong Kong.

The Chief Secretary for Administration Li Jiachao wrote to "Hua Ri" today (January 3), denounced the article for "seriously distorting the facts", emphasizing that freedom of speech and press is protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Human Rights Law, and pointed out that if the other party supports it Freedom of the press should support relevant law enforcement actions.

This is the third time a SAR government official has written to the Wall Street Journal within a month.

+14

WSJ: All economic activities are political. No one is safe to do business in Hong Kong

The editorial was titled "No One Is Safe in Hong Kong" (No One Is Safe in Hong Kong), and pointed out that relevant law enforcement actions have shown that Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy has been eroded: "China’s smashing of Hong Kong’s autonomy has reached a new level degree"."

The content mentioned a series of recent events: after the "Apple Daily", another pro-democratic media was taken by law enforcement agencies, the new Legislative Council election system was "manipulated" by the government, and the "pillar of national war" was removed from the University of Hong Kong, Most of the democratic leaders in Hong Kong are either in jail or "forced into exile."

The editorial questioned that Beijing could not tolerate the freedom of the press in Hong Kong, including news about its "undermining Hong Kong freedom", so it "slandered Hong Kong reporters as criminals and traitors"; and all economic activities would be regarded as political: "This week's repression The action shows that no one is safe to do business in Hong Kong."

Chief Secretary for Administration Li Jiachao.

(Profile picture)

Li Jiachao refutes: If you support freedom of the press, you should support law enforcement actions

Li Jiachao wrote a letter to "Hua Ri" to refute, saying that the relevant article was "seriously misleading and distorting the facts": "Again, your baseless accusation against Hong Kong, in your own words, is "reaching a new level of indecentness." "." The letter pointed out that freedom of speech and press are protected by the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Human Rights Law. Under the National Security Law, Hong Kong has returned to stability and is back on track. The citizens return to their daily lives and remain an ideal business environment. .

The letter also stated that enforcement actions against the "Position" have nothing to do with freedom of the press, and strictly follow Hong Kong laws and collected evidence: "If you are really keen on press freedom, you should support us in targeting those who illegally use it. The media serves as a tool to achieve political or personal interests. They are the ones who pollute and undermine the freedom of the press."

Li Jiachao also mentioned "Hua Ri"'s comments on Hong Kong elections: "It is also shocking to see you falsely assert that the government is "manipulating" the Legislative Council elections. The elections are conducted in an open, fair and honest environment, and Legislation has been enacted to prevent anyone from rigging the election by inciting others not to vote or to cast invalid votes. Your baseless comments only reflect your prejudice."

The Wall Street Journal recently criticized Hong Kong's electoral system in editorials several times. On December 5 and December 24, the Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Zeng Guowei, reprimanded the comments as being groundless.

Among them, the "Hua Ri" editorial on November 29 mentioned that voters should not vote in protest. Zeng Guowei warned that inciting others not to vote may be illegal.

Legislative Council Election｜Zeng Guowei criticizes the "Wall Street Journal" for spreading rumors to warn that the boycott of elections is illegal. The Wall Street Journal accuses Hong Kong people of rejecting "Beijing-style democracy".