|
|
Change Your Life! |
China warns Hong Kong media again on Taiwan coverage |
|
News
|
April 18, 2000
HONG KONG, APR 17 (AP) - China reiterated a warning Monday to the Hong Kong media against advocating views supporting Taiwanese independence, stirring concerns that press freedoms have come under threat here.
"It is inappropriate and not right to advocate and disseminate views of independence for Taiwan," the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement.
Wang Fengchao, deputy director of China's liaison office in Hong Kong set off a furor among journalists and opposition legislators when he told the media last Wednesday to avoid mentioning Taiwanese independence or report views different from Beijing on the issue.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association said Monday it was filing a written complaint with the Chinese premier, Zhu Rongji. The association said it will also stage a 24-hour industrywide signature campaign on Tuesday.
China and Taiwan separated amid civil war in 1949 and Beijing regards the island as a breakaway province that must eventually be reunited with the mainland, by force if necessary.
Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. It is being ruled under a "one country, two systems" form of government which promises to leave press freedom, laws and lifestyle intact for at least 50 years.
Echoing that promise, Hong Kong's political leader, Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, insisted Monday that Hong Kong's press freedoms are intact - although Tung did not voice any views on Taiwan coverage.
But Tung reminded local reporters that Hong Kong supports the principle that Taiwan is part of China.
|