A Hong Kong journalist group yesterday said that it was “very concerned” about the safety of an award-winning defense reporter who was reportedly missing after attending a security forum in Beijing.
Minnie Chan (陳敏莉), a reporter with the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post specializing in defense and diplomacy issues in China, “became unreachable” after visiting Beijing to cover the Xiangshan Forum in late October, Japanese news agency Kyodo said, citing her friends.
The Hong Kong Journalists’ Association yesterday said that it was “very concerned about Minnie Chan’s safety and is asking South China Morning Post to learn more.”
Photo: AFP
It also urged relatives and friends to reach out with more information.
The South China Morning Post reported later yesterday that Chan “has taken personal leave” and that it was in contact with her family.
“Her family has informed us that she is in Beijing, but needs time to handle a private matter,” the newspaper said in an e-mailed statement. “Her family has told us she is safe, but has requested that we respect her privacy.”
Chan did not respond to a request for comment.
Asked about the Kyodo report, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Wang Wenbin (汪文斌) said he was “not aware” of the case.
The Hong Kong broadsheet’s Web site says that Chan’s most recent articles were from the Xiangshan Forum, which ended on Oct. 31.
She also wrote about the Chinese military’s overhaul and the abrupt sacking of Li Shangfu (李尚福) as Chinese minister of defense.
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