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Tang: Beijing not behind radio hosts' leave
State Councillor Tang Jiaxuan Tuesday refuted the claim that the departures of three Hong Kong radio hosts from their posts were caused by pressure from the central government. "This is definitely not the truth," he told ATV last night. Tang is so far the highest ranking central government official to speak on the recent incidents concerning the radio talkshow hosts. The resignations of Albert Cheng, Raymond Wong and Allen Lee within a month in succession have prompted some people in Hong Kong to suspect that Beijing is trying to affect Hong Kong's freedom of press and speech in the lead-up to the Legislative Council election in September. Responding to concerns in Hong Kong that freedom of speech would be narrowed after the recent incidents, Tang said: "Some have suggested that it was under Beijing's instruction that they (the radio hosts) had left their posts; this is definitely not the truth." Without naming names, he said one of the three radio hosts left Hong Kong because of heavy debts he owed. "It was out of his own intention to flee to Canada because he could no longer stay in Hong Kong. How could he say it was under Beijing's pressure?" Tang asked. He noted that the interpretation by the country's top legislature on Basic Law annexes concerning electoral changes aimed to safeguard Hong Kong's prosperity, stability and development. "Stability is of utmost importance. Without it, how could Hong Kong have real democracy and freedom?" he said. |
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