China throws media shield around President Xi’s visit to Hong Kong

Journalists from leading international media organisations, including Reuters and CNN, have been barred from covering official ceremonies during Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s visit to Hong Kong today.

Mr Xi will be in Hong Kong to mark the 25th anniversary of the city’s handover from Britain to China, and it would be his first trip outside the mainland since the pandemic started.

According to the Hong Kong Journalist Association (HKJA), at least 10 journalists working for local and international organisations had their applications to cover the events rejected for “security reasons.”

“With media unable to send journalists on the ground, the HKJA expresses utmost regret over the rigid reporting arrangements made by the authorities for such a major event,” the press group said.

Reuters, Agence France-Press (AFP), and the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post were among the outlets whose reporters were blocked from covering the ceremonies, according to the HKJA.

CNN has contacted the media companies for comment.

A spokesperson for the Hong Kong Government said that authorities were striking “a balance as far as possible between the need of media work and security requirements.”

Reuters reported that two of its journalists had been barred from covering the handover ceremony and inauguration of incoming Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee. It cited a Reuters spokeswoman as saying the news agency was seeking further information on the matter.

CNN’s application to attend the events has also been rejected.

“The government told CNN the police rejected the application but refused to elaborate,” a company spokesperson said. “CNN is disappointed not to attend official events but will continue to report on the visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping.”

The spokesperson said the Hong Kong Government had told CNN that “it would not comment on the accreditation outcome of individual organisations and persons.”

Meanwhile, acording to Graphic News 25 years ago Hong Kong returned to China after 156 years of British colonial rule, with Beijing pledging wide-ranging freedoms denied to those in mainland China.

Government estimates show hundreds of thousands of people quit Hong Kong in the years that preceded the handover for a new life overseas – many citing fears of a future under Beijing’s thumb, according to AFP.

As the territory celebrates the handover’s 25th anniversary on Friday, with citywide posters proclaiming ‘a new era of stability, prosperity and opportunity’, another exodus is under way.