WWLegal.com :: Straits Times HK Journalist Appeal In China Fails

Straits Times HK Journalist Appeal In China Fails
Posted on Friday, November 24, 2006 - 12:00 AM

The Beijing High Court, last Friday, rejected the appeal by Ching Cheong, the chief China correspondent for Singapore's Straits Times. This is according to his lawyer and China's official Xinhua news agency.

In a statement delivered by Ching's sister in Beijing, the journalist maintained his innocence and hoped the Chinese government would acquit him. Ching's brother, Ching Hei, told reporters that his family would try to lodge another appeal.

In August 2006, the lower Beijing court held that Ching had passed on top secret information to two people from a Taiwanese foundation who were in fact members of a Taiwanese intelligence agency. Xinhua, quoting the judge at the Beijing High Court, said the August verdict "was a correct application of the law and provided appropriate punishment". He was sentenced to jail for five years.

The case has attracted international attention fanning fears of China cracking down against foreign and domestic journalists in the run-up to the 2008 Olympic Games.

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