MFA Spokesperson Criticizes Foreign Reporters Covering Taishi Village Protests

October 26, 2005

Foreign Ministry (MFA) press spokesman Kong Quan addressed violence against foreign journalists trying to cover the Taishi village protests in Guangdong province during a press briefing on October 11, according to a transcript published in Chinese and English on the Ministry's Web site.

Foreign Ministry (MFA) press spokesman Kong Quan addressed violence against foreign journalists trying to cover the Taishi village protests in Guangdong province during a press briefing on October 11, according to a transcript published in Chinese and English on the Ministry's Web site.

Kong Quan said:

Question:

[S]ome contradictions took place in Taishi village in the Guangzhou area. It has been reported that some foreign journalists were beaten. How does the Chinese Foreign Ministry view the issue? How about the investigation now?

Response:

During the incident, the fact is that there were two foreign journalists who went to conduct interviews without having applied, and we express our regret that they violated relevant regulations. Coincidentally, it is these media outlets that often criticize China as having no rule of law, but when faced with China's laws and regulations, they are the first to disobey them, and this is inappropriate. Of course, the police are not permitted, are prohibited from abusing their power in correcting these kinds of violations of regulations. Above all, we hope all foreign media can have greater and more comprehensive coverage of China. We are not afraid of you criticizing China. Chinese media also criticizes China a great deal. But the problem is that things must be done in accordance with the law, and according to relevant regulations you must file an interview application. . . . What I know of the situation is that these journalists hid their identities, disguised themselves, and saw themselves as being just and honorable. Why did they not make it clear that they were there for an interview? If they went to learn about the villagers' protection of their civil rights, why did they say they were investigating such irrelevant issues as family planning and environmental protection? The police didn't take any rough actions against them, but merely made some inquiries, and after learning they were journalists, the police pointed out the problems that existed, and arranged for a car and sent the two journalists back to their hotel in Guangdong.

(CECC staff translated this question and response.).

The MFA spokesman was referring to reports that unidentified men detained and beat two foreign journalists attempting to reach Taishi village in Guangdong province to cover protests there in early October. According to an October 10 report in the South China Morning Post, Radio France Internationale reporter Abel Segretin and South China Morning Post reporter Leu Siew Ying were en route to Taishi on October 7 to report on efforts by Taishi residents to use national election laws to recall the village committee head. Leu reported that local authorities stopped the journalists at a roadblock and asked for their identity papers. After an exchange with an unidentified man who summoned police, a number of men standing at the roadblock attacked the reporters, Leu said.