China Daily accuses foreign governments of trying to create illusion that press freedom is dwindling
China’s principle of “one country, two systems” for Hong Kong remains unchanged, Chinese state media said on Monday, rejecting claims the city’s refusal to renew a work visa for a Financial Times journalist marked a move away from promised freedoms.
The China Daily newspaper said in an editorial visa renewal was a sovereign right that no other governments could interfere with and that accusations from some foreign authorities were an attempt to attack the Chinese government.
The FT said last week Hong Kong authorities had rejected an application to renew the work visa of Asia news editor Victor Mallet, who also served as the vice-president of the city’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC), in a move criticised by the US and press freedom groups.
It came two months after government officials in China and Hong Kong condemned the FCC, one of Asia’s leading press clubs, for hosting a speech by an independence activist, reigniting debate about the viability of the city’s promised freedoms.
The China Daily editorial said: “Foreign governments demanding an explanation know this.
