China Suppressing Hong Kong Press

 written by 10722 Jung Do Young

 

The tension between Hong Kong and China is escalating due to Hong Kong’s demand for democratization. This conflict is also becoming a big international problem. Recently, the issue of press suppression has become serious. This is because Hong Kong’s media has written articles against China.

 

The Founding of Apple Daily

The founder of Apple Daily was born in Guangzhou and lived a poor life. When he entered Hong Kong, he was only 12 years old, so he didn’t have any money. But he worked hard at a wig factory. He earned money and successfully invested in stocks, and eventually became a sweater producer for Comitex at the age of 27 and created a company named Giordano.

Then Lai entered the anti-China road. He used his own money to create his first media company, Next Digital. Next Digital was created for people to see the truth that is not told on TV. This company became very popular among the people who opposed China by writing anti-Chinese articles shortly after Tiananmen Square.

However, there was a strong backlash from China. In Next Digital, they wrote an article criticizing China. Lai later founded Apple Daily after selling Giordano. The media continued to write anti-China articles, and China imposed sanctions.

 

The Closing of the Apple Daily

On June 24^th, 2021, the anti-Chinese media Apple Daily, which represents Hong Kong, was closed 26 years and four days after its launch.

Jimmy Lai, the founder of Apple Daily, was also arrested for violating the Hong Kong Security Law and is serving time in prison.

 

 

The Final Days of Apple Daily

After the Hong Kong Security Law passed, China arrested Lai, and eventually, Apple Daily was closed.

In response, many Hong Kong citizens tried to encourage Apple Daily.

Many have voiced criticism on the suppression of Hong Kong’s media. First of all, the European Union strongly criticized China for destroying the freedom of news and expression through the National Security Law. The actions taken showed the seriousness of destroying freedom of speech in a statement related to the closing of Apple Daily.

The Taiwan Continental Committee also stressed, “This unfortunate incident has led to the end of Hong Kong’s freedom of journalism, publishing, and press. Through this, the international community has learned that the Chinese Communist Party, which has extreme dictatorship, is using extreme means to suppress differences.”

On the other hand, the Hong Kong government said, “Everything the government does is based on the law. The government is cracking down on acts that threaten national security, not attacking the freedom of speech. Hong Kong is a society under the rule of law, and no person or organization has privileges.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry Cho Rik Gun said, “All rights and freedoms, including freedom of speech, cannot go beyond national security.”

 

Only Apple Daily?

China, which has succeeded in closing Apple Daily, is trying to suppress other anti-Chinese media companies.

Already, the IpJang newspaper has suspended all columns of advertisements. The IpJang newspaper criticized Hong Kong for saying that “the jade of letters”, which means punishing me for criticizing the emperor or regime, came to China in the past.

As other media outlets like RTHK, Cable News, Now News are on the verge of China’s oppression following Apple Daily, Hong Kong Baptist University lecturer Bruce Louis said reporters need to be careful when writing against China.

It is not right for China to press Hong Kong while suppressing the media. If China wants to make Hong Kong a part of the country, China must show consideration for Hong Kong. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the problem with Hong Kong in a humanitarian way, not media oppression. China should tell Hong Kong what they want and discuss it with the Hong Kong government.