Pro-Democracy Paper in Hong Kong Forced to Close Under CCP’s Widening Repression Campaign
Apple Daily, an independent pro-democracy tabloid in Hong Kong known for its critical stance on China’s Communist Party, has weathered police raids and the jailing of its founder. But its 26th birthday might be its last. Hong Kong’s government, backed by Beijing, has taken aim at the newspaper. Last week, 500 police barged into the […]
Apple Daily, an independent pro-democracy tabloid in Hong Kong known for its critical stance on China’s Communist Party, has weathered police raids and the jailing of its founder. But its 26th birthday might be its last. Hong Kong’s government, backed by Beijing, has taken aim at the newspaper. Last week, 500 police barged into the newsroom, seizing computers and files and arresting five of the publication's executives. Two directors now face charges of colluding with foreign forces, an ambiguous offense under the draconian national security law imposed by Beijing last year. Adding insult to injury, authorities froze the paper’s assets as part of the investigation. With HK$18 million ($2.32 million) worth of assets on hold in local banks, it's now unable to pay its more than 800 staff members, and could be just days away from shutting its doors, the paper says. The outlet’s looming closure “marks the end of ...
