Press Freedom
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China September 7, 2006
H.E. Hu Jintao
President
Office of the President
Zhonganahai
Beijing 100017
People’s Republic of China
Fax: (011.86.10.6) 512-5810
Your Excellency:
We are alarmed and outraged at the treatment of Singaporean journalist, Ching Cheong, a correspondent for the Straits Times who recently received a five-year sentence on charges of spying for Taiwan .
Having awaited justice since his arrest in April, 2005, Ching’s one-day trial behind closed doors was a travesty, not only deeply unfair to the journalist but also a sign that the leaders of China continue to have little respect for the rule of law. Authorities failed to present any evidence that China committed any crime. It is clear to us that Ching’s case has little to do with the law and much to do with the subject of his reporting.
Ching is a well known, highly respected observer of China . He has written with perception and solid reporting about China for many years. Authorities, however, are apparently displeased with Ching’s efforts to conduct research on the late reformist, Prime Minister Zhao Ziyang — a topic that continues to be taboo more than fifteen years after Zhao was put under house arrest for opposing the military crack-down that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of protesters in 1989.
We sincerely hope China ‘s authorities will take another look at Ching’s case, which reflects badly on your government at a time when China hopes to promote a positive image abroad. Modernization can not be confined to the economic sphere. Healthy societies respect and uphold the law. We hope China will do so as well, and that you will do all in your power to secure justice for Ching Cheong.
Respectfully yours,
Dorinda Elliott
Kevin McDermott
Freedom of the Press Committee
cc:
Wen Jiabao
State Council
Office of the Premier
Zhonganahai
Beijing 100077
People’s Republic of China
Fax: (011.86.10.6) 512-5810
Yang Jiechi
Ambassador of China to the U.S.A.
Embassy of the People’s Republic of China
2300 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington , DC 20008
Fax: (202) 588-0032
Ambassador Wang Guangya
Permanent Representative
Permanent Mission of the People’s Republic of China
to the United Nations
350 East 35th Street
New York , NY 10016
Fax: (212) 634-7626
Clark T. Randt, Jr.
U.S. Ambassador to China
Embassy of the United States of America
No. 3 Xiu Shui Bei Jie
100600 Beijing
China
Fax: (011.86.10.6) 532-6929