Ching Cheong
Encyclopedia
Ching Cheong is a senior journalist with The Straits Times
. He is best known for having been detained by the People's Republic of China
on allegations of spying for Taiwan
. He was imprisoned from April 2005 to February 2008, spending more than 1000 days in prison. Human rights advocates and Chinese patriots called for his release saying the charges were groundless. Throughout the process, he was viciously accused, deplorably defamed (falsely accused of having a mistress) and unreasonably imprisoned.
, China
on 3 December 1949. He was educated in St. Paul's College, Hong Kong
, and graduated from Hong Kong University in 1973 with a degree in Economics
.
In 1974, he joined the pro-Red China newspaper Wen Wei Po
, of which he eventually became vice-editorial manager. After the Tiananmen massacre
of 4 June 1989, Ching and around 40 other journalists resigned from the newspaper in protest. After that he, Li Zhisong and others founded Commentary, a magazine commenting on China.
In 1996 he joined the staff of the Singapore
-based Straits Times. At first he was assigned to the Taiwan
desk, where his articles clearly showed a pro-unification stance. These articles are collected in a book called 'Will Taiwan Break Away: The Rise of Taiwanese Nationalism' . Ching was later named [Chief] China correspondent for the journal.
on a Home Visit Permit, while researching former Communist Party leader, Zhao Ziyang
. On 22 April 2005 he was charged with spying on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency and was arrested in Guangzhou
.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry later reported that he had confessed to these accusations. Formal charges were drawn up on 5 August. He was charged with passing state secrets to the Republic of China (Taiwan)
over a period of five years. In particular, he was accused of using money provided by Taiwan to purchase political and military information. He is the first Hong Kong journalist to be charged with spying since the transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong
to the PRC in 1997. Ching's wife, Mary Lau, says the charges are ludicrous. She also added that Ching had apparently fallen victim of entrapment
by an intermediary as he was trying to obtain recordings of secret interviews with the former Prime Minister.
In June 2005, the Hong Kong Journalists Association
and Reporters Without Borders
organized a petition calling for Ching's immediate release from unfair detention. The petition, containing more than 13,000 signatures, was sent to Hu Jintao
, President of the People's Republic of China
. The International Federation of Journalists
and the Committee to Protect Journalists
have also protested Ching Cheong's detention. The British Government was also asked to intervene as Ching Cheong holds a British National (Overseas)
passport.
During the incidence, some irresponsible tabloids in Hong Kong spread rumours that he was spying because he had to earn money for his mistress in China. Then the lady in suspicion came to Hong Kong from China and gave witness that she had no relationship with Mr. Ching. Thus, this vicious accusation was broken. A lot of evidence showed that Ching Cheong was innocent of committing any crime.
On 12 January 2006, 35 legislative councillors including 10 pro-Beijing councillors (including 3 from the Liberal Party
, 3 from the DAB, 1 from the Alliance Party
) signed an open letter asking the Chinese authorities to release Ching unless there was sufficient evidence.
On 22 February 2006, the prosecutor in charge of Ching's case decided to send his file back to the State Security Department for further investigation. The trial was thus delayed for at least one month.
Ching was tried in camera
, found guilty of spying, and was sentenced on 31 August 2006 to five years' imprisonment.
The family's statement on the same day stated the verdict was extremely biased, adopting only evidence of the Procuratorate while ignoring almost all defence arguments and Ching's self-defence.
On 1 September 2006 Ching's wife reported that her husband had called the verdict "very unfair" and vowed to appeal the sentence.
On 5 February 2008, the Chinese government announced that they had released Ching from prison early, days before the Chinese New Year
holiday. It is believed that this decision was made by the then newly promoted central secretary, Xi Jinping
.
The Straits Times
The Straits Times is an English language daily broadsheet newspaper based in Singapore currently owned by Singapore Press Holdings . It is the country's highest-selling paper, with a current daily circulation of nearly 400,000...
. He is best known for having been detained by the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
on allegations of spying for Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. He was imprisoned from April 2005 to February 2008, spending more than 1000 days in prison. Human rights advocates and Chinese patriots called for his release saying the charges were groundless. Throughout the process, he was viciously accused, deplorably defamed (falsely accused of having a mistress) and unreasonably imprisoned.
Life
Ching was born in GuangzhouGuangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
on 3 December 1949. He was educated in St. Paul's College, Hong Kong
St. Paul's College, Hong Kong
St. Paul's College is an Anglican day school for boys in Mid Levels, Hong Kong and is located adjacent to University of Hong Kong. Established in 1851, it is the oldest secondary school in Hong Kong that is still in operation...
, and graduated from Hong Kong University in 1973 with a degree in Economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
.
In 1974, he joined the pro-Red China newspaper Wen Wei Po
Wen Wei Po
Wen Wei Po is a Hong Kong-based Chinese language newspaper, which was first established in Shanghai in January 1938; its Hong Kong version was launched on 9 September 1948....
, of which he eventually became vice-editorial manager. After the Tiananmen massacre
Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, also known as the June Fourth Incident in Chinese , were a series of demonstrations in and near Tiananmen Square in Beijing in the People's Republic of China beginning on 15 April 1989...
of 4 June 1989, Ching and around 40 other journalists resigned from the newspaper in protest. After that he, Li Zhisong and others founded Commentary, a magazine commenting on China.
In 1996 he joined the staff of the Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
-based Straits Times. At first he was assigned to the Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
desk, where his articles clearly showed a pro-unification stance. These articles are collected in a book called 'Will Taiwan Break Away: The Rise of Taiwanese Nationalism' . Ching was later named [Chief] China correspondent for the journal.
Arrest on spy charges
In the spring of 2005, he entered mainland ChinaMainland China
Mainland China, the Chinese mainland or simply the mainland, is a geopolitical term that refers to the area under the jurisdiction of the People's Republic of China . According to the Taipei-based Mainland Affairs Council, the term excludes the PRC Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and...
on a Home Visit Permit, while researching former Communist Party leader, Zhao Ziyang
Zhao Ziyang
Zhao Ziyang was a high-ranking politician in the People's Republic of China . He was the third Premier of the People's Republic of China from 1980 to 1987, and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China from 1987 to 1989....
. On 22 April 2005 he was charged with spying on behalf of a foreign intelligence agency and was arrested in Guangzhou
Guangzhou
Guangzhou , known historically as Canton or Kwangchow, is the capital and largest city of the Guangdong province in the People's Republic of China. Located in southern China on the Pearl River, about north-northwest of Hong Kong, Guangzhou is a key national transportation hub and trading port...
.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry later reported that he had confessed to these accusations. Formal charges were drawn up on 5 August. He was charged with passing state secrets to the Republic of China (Taiwan)
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
over a period of five years. In particular, he was accused of using money provided by Taiwan to purchase political and military information. He is the first Hong Kong journalist to be charged with spying since the transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong
Transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong
The transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China, referred to as ‘the Return’ or ‘the Reunification’ by the Chinese and ‘the Handover’ by others, took place on 1 July 1997...
to the PRC in 1997. Ching's wife, Mary Lau, says the charges are ludicrous. She also added that Ching had apparently fallen victim of entrapment
Entrapment
In criminal law, entrapment is conduct by a law enforcement agent inducing a person to commit an offense that the person would otherwise have been unlikely to commit. In many jurisdictions, entrapment is a possible defense against criminal liability...
by an intermediary as he was trying to obtain recordings of secret interviews with the former Prime Minister.
In June 2005, the Hong Kong Journalists Association
Hong Kong Journalists Association
The Hong Kong Journalists Association was established in 1968 for practising journalists in Hong Kong "to enhance press freedom and the integrity of news coverage"...
and Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders
Reporters Without Borders is a France-based international non-governmental organization that advocates freedom of the press. It was founded in 1985, by Robert Ménard, Rony Brauman and the journalist Jean-Claude Guillebaud. Jean-François Julliard has served as Secretary General since 2008...
organized a petition calling for Ching's immediate release from unfair detention. The petition, containing more than 13,000 signatures, was sent to Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao
Hu Jintao is the current Paramount Leader of the People's Republic of China. He has held the titles of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China since 2002, President of the People's Republic of China since 2003, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission since 2004, succeeding Jiang...
, President of the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
. The International Federation of Journalists
International Federation of Journalists
International Federation of Journalists, IFJ, is a global union federation of journalists' trade unions—the largest in the world. The organization aims to protect and strengthen the rights and freedoms of journalists...
and the Committee to Protect Journalists
Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists is an independent nonprofit organisation based in New York City that promotes press freedom and defends the rights of journalists.-History:A group of U.S...
have also protested Ching Cheong's detention. The British Government was also asked to intervene as Ching Cheong holds a British National (Overseas)
British National (Overseas)
British National , commonly known as BN, is one of the major classes of British nationality under British nationality law. Holders of this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British Citizens...
passport.
During the incidence, some irresponsible tabloids in Hong Kong spread rumours that he was spying because he had to earn money for his mistress in China. Then the lady in suspicion came to Hong Kong from China and gave witness that she had no relationship with Mr. Ching. Thus, this vicious accusation was broken. A lot of evidence showed that Ching Cheong was innocent of committing any crime.
On 12 January 2006, 35 legislative councillors including 10 pro-Beijing councillors (including 3 from the Liberal Party
Liberal Party (Hong Kong)
Liberal Party is a business-friendly liberal conservative political party in Hong Kong.-Party beliefs:The party is known for its conservative and business-friendly policies. Despite being a political party friendly with Beijing, it fits in the centre-right political spectrum...
, 3 from the DAB, 1 from the Alliance Party
The Alliance (Hong Kong)
Professional Forum , formerly and still widely known as The Alliance , is a political group in Hong Kong, composed of five members of the Legislative Council who ran as independents in functional constituencies in the 2004 election. Four were members of the so-called "Breakfast Group", led by Eric Li...
) signed an open letter asking the Chinese authorities to release Ching unless there was sufficient evidence.
On 22 February 2006, the prosecutor in charge of Ching's case decided to send his file back to the State Security Department for further investigation. The trial was thus delayed for at least one month.
Ching was tried in camera
In camera
In camera is a legal term meaning "in private". It is also sometimes termed in chambers or in curia.In camera describes court cases that the public and press are not admitted to...
, found guilty of spying, and was sentenced on 31 August 2006 to five years' imprisonment.
The family's statement on the same day stated the verdict was extremely biased, adopting only evidence of the Procuratorate while ignoring almost all defence arguments and Ching's self-defence.
On 1 September 2006 Ching's wife reported that her husband had called the verdict "very unfair" and vowed to appeal the sentence.
On 5 February 2008, the Chinese government announced that they had released Ching from prison early, days before the Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year – often called Chinese Lunar New Year although it actually is lunisolar – is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is an all East and South-East-Asia celebration...
holiday. It is believed that this decision was made by the then newly promoted central secretary, Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping is a high ranking politician of the People's Republic of China. He currently serves as the top-ranking member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of China, the country's Vice President, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission, President of the Central Party School and the...
.
Published works
- Will Taiwan Break Away: The Rise of Taiwanese Nationalism (Singapore University Press, 2001) ISBN 981-02-4486-X
- with Ching Hung-Yee: Handbook on China's WTO Accession and Its Impacts (Imperial College Press, 2003) ISBN 981-238-061-2
External links
- Ching Cheong Foundation Ltd.'s official site (in Chinese)
- Reporters Sans Frontiers article
- Ching Cheong trial adjourned for lack of evidence
- International press freedom groups call for Ching Cheong's release: IFEXInternational Freedom of Expression ExchangeThe International Freedom of Expression eXchange , founded in 1992, is a global network of around 90 non-governmental organisations that promotes and defends the right to freedom of expression....
- Hong Kong Journalists Association
- Petition to Support Ching Cheong
- "Red Fear in Hong Kong", The Asia Times, 9 June 2005.
- "Journalist held for seeking truth on Tiananmen killings", The Times Online, 31 May 2005.
- "Detained Journalist's Wife Says China Set Him Up", Radio Free Asia, 31 May 2005.
- "Zhao manuscript chase leads to arrest", The Standard, 31 May 2005.
- China rejects journalist appeal, BBC NEWS