4th September 2009
Three Hong Kong television reporters and photographers, including Now News photographer Lam Chen Wai, TVB news photographer Lam Tsz-ho and reporter Lau Wing Chuen were beaten, threatened at gun point by Xinjiang police whilst they were reporting the public demonstration and interviewing demonstrators in Urumqi, Xinjiang. They were subsequently detained by local police for three hours before their release. TVB News, Now News, and Hong Kong News Executive’s Association (HKNEA), and Hong Kong Journalists Association had separately issued statements to strongly protest and condemn such brutality and request the respective authorities to apologize. The HKSAR government expressed its concern on the incident.
8th September 2009
The Information Office of Xinjiang held a press conference on the findings of the investigation of the incident, but the notification to the press conference was not issued to the TV station that was involved in the incident. At the press conference, the Director of the Information Office, Ms. Hou-min stated that the three beaten reporters and photographers were “filming in disguise”, “making suggestive gestures towards protesters”, and “suspected of inciting trouble “. She also stated that “no one wanted to see such incident” and the beating occurred because the reporters refused to produce identifications when confronted. TVB News and Now News subsequently issued a statement emphasizing that all reporters involved possessed valid press identifications on the date of the incident, and said that the statement made by Information Office of Xinjiang were fabricated and the reporters involved were falsely accused.
9th September 2009
Whilst attending a function, the Chief Executive Donald Tsang took the initiative to comment on the incident encountered by Hong Kong reporters in Xinjiang, and stated that he has expressed his concern and relayed the strong opinions from the Hong Kong journalists to Information Office of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region through the Hong Kong and Macau’s Affairs Office of the State Council. He has also stated that he will keep close contact with the related Central Government Authorities to ensure the safety and legitimate reporting of Hong Kong journalists and in particular the Hong Kong journalists on the ground. Following the Chief Executive’s comment on the same day, several representatives of the League of Social Democrats (LSD) went to the Government House and Hong Kong and Macau’s Affairs Office of the State Council to deliver a petition, and hanged a piece of raw pork outside the entrance of the Hong Kong and Macau’s Affairs Office of the State Council, satirizing the Xinjiang Authorities in framing the Hong Kong reporters.
10th September 2009
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB), the Liberal Party and Civic Party have separately sent letters to Vice President Xi Jinping and Premier Wen Jiabao to call for an investigation of the incident. The Standing Committee of National People’s Congress (NPC), Ms. Rita FAN also criticized the Xinjiang Government and stated that the case put forth is unconvincing. Vice Chairperson of the Democratic Party, Ms. Emily Lau and the National Committee member of the Chinese People Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr. Jeffery Lam have also separately sent letters to the leaders of the Chinese Government to urge for a thorough investigation of the incident. However, the ex-Standing Committee of NPC, Mr. Tsang Hin-chi wishes the media to be understanding, and should go dilute rather than intensify the incident.
11th September 2009
The Vice Chairman of the Chinese People Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr. Tung Chee-hwa indicated that he would follow up on what actually happened at the incident. 23 pan-democratic legislators wrote to President Hu Jintao, urging him to set up a committee to investigate the beating of the Hong Kong reporters by the Xinjiang police, and suggested that someone should be punished if there was mishandling of the incident.
12th September 2009
During the Foreign Ministry’s regular press conference in Beijing, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Ms. Jiang Yu were publicly questioned by Mr Lam Tsz-ho (the reporter who was beaten by Xinjiang police). Mr. Lam questioned Ms. Jiang on whether Foreign Ministry has read the investigation report and whether they endorse the report given that it has concluded on the beating incident. Mr. Lam also pressed on and asked whether he should surrender himself to Urumqi police as the investigation concluded that the reporters involved were suspected of inciting trouble. At the same time the Standing Committee of Chinese People Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Mr. Chan Wing Kee indicated that he shall express his view at the coming Association Standing Committee meeting. Executive Council Convenor Mr. C.Y. Leung, and Secretary for Security Mr. Ambrose Lee stated that the HKSAR Government has already expressed Hong Kong journalists’ concern on the incident through the Hong Kong and Macau’s Affairs Office of the State Council.
13th September 2009
Several hundreds of journalist from TV, radio, newspaper and agencies reporters in black clothes with red ribbon attended a protest march organized by the Hong Kong Journalists Association. At the end 700 reporters, university students and members of the public marched to the Hong Kong and Macau’s Affairs Office of the State Council. They protested against the false accusations put forth by the Xinjiang Government Officials, and for the freedom of the press in China. During a seminar hosted by the Hong Kong Federation of Journalist, National People’s Congress member, Ms. Lau Pui King indicated that she would propose “Press Law” to be legislated at the National People’s Congress (NPC) and Chinese People Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), so that the rights for journalists are protected. The Vice Chairperson of Hong Kong News Executive’s Association (HKNEA), Ms. May Chan expressed her wish for China to issue country wide identification for journalists.
18th September 2009
Nearly 30 members of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of Hong Kong were in meeting yesterday and decided against sending a joint letter to Central Government with regards to the incident where Hong Kong reporters were beaten. However, all members unanimously regretted the incident and expressed their concern. At a press briefing after the meeting, the deputy of the NPC, Ms. Maria Tam, said that the incident encountered by the Hong Kong reporters was an isolated incident. Members of the NPC have already individually reflected their concerns to the Central Government. Moreover, given the 60th National Anniversary is fast approaching, the members feel that there is no urgent need to press the Central Government for a response. Therefore, the members decided that there is “no need to send a joint letter to the Central Government”.

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